How & When To Plant Ginger Root

Planting ginger is easy, but you have to do it properly and at the right time if you want to get a decent crop.

So in this post, I’m going to show you exactly when, where, and how to plant your ginger root, with complete step by step instructions.

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It takes 8-10 months for ginger to reach full maturity. So you should plant the rhizomes in late winter or very early spring, depending on where you live.

If the temperature stays consistently above 50°F outside, then you can plant it in your garden in the spring, and grow it year round.

But northern gardeners need to start it indoors sometime in January or early February. Then you can either move it outdoors in the container, or transplant it into your garden after the risk of frost has passed in the spring.

It’s not beneficial to plant it early, because the cold could stunt the rhizomes or cause them to rot. So wait until the ground is at least 60°F, which you can test with a probe thermometer.

You can plant your ginger in either a pot or the garden, as long as the soil is rich, fertile, and well draining.

Outdoors, choose a spot that gets morning or afternoon sun where the plant will be protected from high winds.

If you use a pot, make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom. Also, keep in mind that the plant can get 3-4′ tall. So choose a large container that’s at least 10″ wide and 10″ deep.

Related Post: How To Grow & Care For Ginger Plants

For the best results, space each rhizome 6-8” apart in the garden, or plant 1-2 pieces in a large pot.

It’s very important to give your ginger plenty of room so the plants won’t crowd each other out as they mature.

The rhizomes like to be fairly shallow, so you only need to bury them 2-3 inches deep with the buds (aka eyes)