Growing Ginseng In Your Garden
Ginseng is an attractive perennial herb that attains a height of only 1 to 2 inches the first year. The leaf drops in autumn and a new leaf and stem appear in spring. If you use ginseng and you live along much of the East Coast, anywhere bordering the Mississippi River, or in the Pacific Northwest, you’re in luck. You don’t have to drive to the nearest herbal store or shop online to buy this wonder herb. You can grow ginseng in your perennial garden or, if you’re really lucky and have a woodland-type environment or one that is mostly shade. How to grow ginseng in the garden is fairly easy but locating plants may be difficult. Ginseng is usually planted by seed, which must be stratified for two years. However, you may be able to find small rootlets in greenhouses or nurseries. You can plant rhizomes from wild plants if you can find them, but check first; harvesting wild ginseng is illegal in some states. Ginseng requires nearly total shade and no direct afternoon sunlight.
A location near mature deciduous trees in the garden is ideal. The goal is to mimic the plant’s natural woodland environment as much as possible. The plant thrives in deep, loose soil with a high organic content and a pH of about 5.5. Ginseng Harvesting Dig ginseng carefully to protect the roots. Wash off excess dirt and spread the roots in a single layer on a screen. Place the roots in a warm, well ventilated room and turn them every day. Small roots may dry in a day, but large roots can take as long as six weeks. Dried ginseng is most often used for teas.