Detailed Guide to Ginger Planting Methods and Planting Time

Planting Time

The timing of ginger planting is determined by temperature. In Hunan, Wuhan and other places, ginger is generally planted starting in April and May each year, while in the river valley areas of northwest and southwest China, sowing generally begins as early as March. The most suitable temperature for ginger growth is around 25 to 30 degrees, and the lowest temperature must not fall below 15 degrees, so you can determine the planting time according to temperature changes in your region.

Planting Methods

1. Choosing the Site and Selecting Seed

Ginger can be said to be sensitive to moisture. Generally speaking, it has poor drought resistance and also poor waterlogging resistance, so when choosing a site, try to choose sandy soil with strong permeability, and it also needs to be close to a water source, which makes irrigation and drainage convenient later. As for selecting ginger seed, choose healthy ginger pieces with relatively plump tubers and good color, and carefully observe whether the ginger buds are vigorous, as long as they have not wilted.

2. Sowing and Density

When sowing, the ginger pieces can be soaked in a medicinal solution for about ten minutes, then mixed with sand, placed in a relatively small space and sealed with plastic film. Generally after five days they can be sown. When sowing, sow at a spacing of 30 cm between plants and 40 cm between rows, then try to place the sprouted side facing up, arranging them row by row. After arranging them, cover with a thin layer of soil, and finally spread a layer of rice straw on top.

3. Base Fertilizer and Topdressing

After planting, be sure to apply sufficient base fertilizer. Generally, one mu requires an average of 3,000 kg of organic decomposed fertilizer, and additionally 30 kg of potassium fertilizer as a supplement. The first fertilization is when the ginger seedlings are 25 cm tall. In rural areas, manure mixed with water can be used for watering, or 20 kg of urea mixed with water can be used for spraying. By the time autumn is approaching, that is, in early September, carry out the second fertilization. This time the main purpose is to make the tubers grow larger, so mainly apply compound fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, with amounts of 45 kg and 30 kg respectively. The last fertilization is when the tubers have grown to about the size of three thumbs, that is, one month after the second fertilization. The types of fertilizer used this time are the same as the second time, only the amount is halved.

4. Pest and Disease Control

The main diseases that harm ginger growth and affect ginger yield are rot disease and leaf spot disease. Rot disease generally occurs in summer in July and August and may even continue into early September. If diseased plants are found, they should be pulled out promptly, and the soil beside these plants should be dug out to avoid bacterial infection, then a layer of lime should be sprinkled, and the ground should be filled level with soil again. The control method for leaf spot disease is to spray 50% chlorothalonil 800-times solution, once every 7 to 10 days. The insect pests that affect quality are mainly ginger stem borers and ginger maggots. We generally use trichlorfon or phoxim for foliar spraying control.