Into The Bloom: How To Grow Ginger At Home With Ginger Roots

How To Grow Ginger At Home: Ginger is one of the most used spices in Indian kitchens. The aromatic and healthy spice makes it to almost all our dishes, from our masalas teas to temperings to curries. Now imagine getting fresh ginger from your home garden every time you need this spice for cooking. Yes, you can grow ginger at your home and for that you need just a few basics. Follow our easy guide to grow ginger at home.

How To Grow Ginger?

You can't grow ginger with seeds like most spices. You need a ginger root or ginger plant cutting to grow this spice at home. You can get ginger roots from the market, cut it into pieces and then place the buds in the potting mix.

• Get a ginger with many visible buds.
• Cut the ginger root into pieces, make sure each piece has a bud.

• Soak these ginger roots in water overnight to ensure they are off any chemicals the vendor might have added.

• In a pot, add potting soil and plant the ginger chunks two inches beneath the surface of the potting mix.
• It can take about two weeks for your plant to develop roots and shoots. Once this happens, transplant ginger into a bigger pot.

Tips To Grow Ginger Plant At Home

• Get a mildly acidic soil. Let the gardener know that the potting mix is to grow ginger and they will give you soil accordingly. (Health benefits of ginger)
• Check the soil everyday, it shouldn't dry out. You can spray water on the top layer to keep it damp. However, don't over water the plant as it will lead to rotting.
• Place the plant under direct sunlight for about two to five hours every day.
• Ginger requires a wide and deep pot with drainage holes. Get a deep pot to grow ginger since it grows horizontally.
• Fertilise your soil every 2-4 weeks to grow healthy ginger at your home.
• As the stem keeps growing, make sure you keep adding soil.

• Ginger grows quickly in a wam place. So, if it is cold outside, consider placing it on a heated mat to ensure the plant gets warmth.
• Remember that ginger takes time to grow. It can take about 8 to 10 months for the plant to grow fully.
• When the stems begin to turn yellow, know that it is time to harvest. Dig the spice from the plant gently.

• After harvesting, leave a few buds of the spice in the soil for regrowth.
• Home grown ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for three weeks and about six months in the freezer.
• Get a supplement to grow ginger from the market if you notice your plant isn't growing well. Visit your nearest nursery or get a gardener home to get the growth analysed and use a fertiliser recommended.