How to Grow Ginger in a Pot and Get a Huge Harvest
I love ginger. It has so many uses, and I enjoy growing my own. The good news is that, as long as the soil is deep enough and well-draining, you can grow any root vegetable in a container.
Whether it’s carrots, radishes, or even potatoes, the way these plants grow allows them to grow comfortably in pots, contrary to common misbelief, and luckily, the same applies to ginger.
As you probably already know, the plant has shallow roots and spreads horizontally, and that makes it perfect for growing in a pot or a container.
I’ve shared my method with several friends, and they all had great results. Here are the tips you should follow.
How to Grow Ginger in a Container for the Biggest Harvest
The first thing that I want to underline is that anyone can grow ginger in a container if they know the steps. You don’t need special skills or special tools.
Get a Chunky Ginger Root
The first thing you should do is go to your local store and choose the ginger root that you’ll plant. Here’s one important thing to remember: the chunkier, the better.
Larger and chunkier pieces will have more eyes or growth spots, making them more likely to result in a lot of growth.
You should take a close look at the root and count the eyes on it. Choose a root that shows multiple eyes and is on the chunkier side.
Prepare a Shallow Pot and Loose Soil
As I said already, ginger grows horizontally, so it makes sense to grow it in a wide and shallow pot instead of a narrow one. Make sure to choose a pot with good drainage to avoid root rot.
As for the potting soil, choose a high-quality mix with plenty of organic matter. It should be loose to allow the roots to creep and expand.
When it’s time to plant your root, you can keep it in a bowl of water for a few days until you see root development. Some people do this to speed up the process, but it’s not necessary. Whatever will happen in the water bowl will also happen in the soil, so you might as well plant it right away.
Plant the Root Half an Inch in the Soil
When planting potatoes, you’d have to bury them deep in the soil because they grow tubers along the stem, not from the roots. So, the stem needs to be buried.
Ginger doesn’t grow in the same way, so it doesn’t have to be that deep in the soil. You should put it around half or three-quarters of an inch below the soil and press it firmly to even the pot’s surface.
After that, water it sufficiently so that the water reaches 2.5–3 inches into the soil. You won’t water it again until it shows growth, so make sure to be generous, but don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with rotten roots.
Adjust the Weather
Ginger originally comes from Southeast Asia, which of course means a tropical climate. That’s why it loves a lot of rain, heat, and humidity.
If you live in a cold area, plant your ginger indoors until it’s hot enough to take it outside. Generally, the best time of the year to plant it is during the spring, but you can do it at any time if you provide the growth requirements.
Wait 8–10 Months and Harvest
Ginger is usually ready for harvesting within 8 to 10 months. That’s when the leaves will start yellowing and dying back.
If you’re in a hurry, you can harvest the small pieces 4 to 6 months after planting, but their flavor will be mild.
When harvesting, consider if you want the plant to keep growing. If you live in a frosty area, you likely won’t be able to overwinter the plant, so it’ll die until you plant another one. In that case, harvest everything and clean the plant off.
On the other hand, if you intend to let the plant regrow, only snap off the new chunks of rhizome and leave the rest intact without disturbing the roots.
I know, ginger requires a bit of patience. If you don’t like waiting, you can have a look at the fast-growing veggies you can harvest in under 1 month.
The 3 Main Problems
Talking with my friends, we noticed there are three common issues that come up most often when planting ginger in a pot: yellowing leaves, dry soil, and soggy soil. Knowing what to do in these situations is key if you don’t want to lose all your hard work.
Yellowing leaves are almost always a sign of a lack of nutrition. You’re either not giving the plant enough water, or the soil doesn’t provide enough nutrition. In that case, use a granular fertilizer to speed things up.
Meanwhile, if you notice dry soil, you might want to throw some mulch on top of it. It’ll help keep the moisture in for a bit longer. Alternatively, you can get a new pot with less drainage, but in this case, you’ll have to be careful not to overwater the plant.
If your soil is soggy rather than dry, you’re using too much water. Only water the plant two inches into the soil, and make sure the pot is draining well. Keep an eye out for this issue because it’ll eventually cause root rot (one of the most common reasons for failure).
What else can I say? Happy ginger growing, everyone!