Detailed Guide to Ginger Planting Methods and Timing
In our daily lives, ginger is used very often. When cooking, a little ginger is added to remove odors; when the legs and feet are cold, it can be used to soak the feet and drive away the cold; after getting caught in the rain and fearing a wind-cold chill, it can be steeped in water; and it can also be used to make health products, various small snacks, and so on. In short, it has a great many uses. Now Qinnongwang will teach everyone how to grow ginger and tell you when it is most suitable for ginger to grow.
Planting Time
The time for planting ginger is determined by temperature. In places such as Hunan and Wuhan, 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 the temperature changes in your area.
Planting Methods
1. Land selection and seed selection
Ginger can be said to be sensitive to moisture. Under normal circumstances, its drought resistance is poor and its waterlogging resistance is also poor, so when selecting land, we should try to choose sandy soil with strong permeability, and it also needs to be close to a water source, which will make irrigation and drainage convenient later. As for ginger seed selection, choose healthy ginger pieces with relatively strong tubers and good color, and carefully observe whether the ginger buds are vigorous and not withered.
2. Sowing and density
When sowing, the ginger pieces can be soaked in a chemical agent for about ten minutes, then mixed with sand, placed in a relatively small space, and sealed with plastic film. Generally, after five days, sowing can begin. When sowing, sow at a spacing of 30 cm between each plant and 40 cm between each row, 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 straw on top.
3. Base fertilizer and topdressing
After planting, sufficient base fertilizer must be applied. Generally, an average of 3,000 kg of organic decomposed fertilizer is needed per mu, and 30 kg of potassium fertilizer should also be added 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 it is mainly to make the tubers grow larger, so mainly compound fertilizer and potassium fertilizer are applied, 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 applied 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 spot disease. Rot disease generally occurs in summer in July and August and may even continue into early September. When diseased plants are found, they should be pulled out in time, and the soil beside the plant should be dug away to avoid bacterial infection, then a layer of lime should be spread, and the ground should be filled level with soil. The control method for spot disease is to spray 50% chlorothalonil 800-fold solution once every 7 to 10 days. The insect pests affecting quality are mainly ginger borers and ginger maggots. We generally use trichlorfon or phoxim for foliar spraying control.
5. Harvesting
The general harvest season is from late autumn to the beginning of winter, that is, November and December. We need to observe whether the stems and leaves of the ginger in the field have turned yellow and begun to wither; if so, it can be harvested. However, it is best to harvest only once every two years. Isn't there a saying that old ginger is spicier? This also shows that ginger is better when it is a little older. Here the editor also wants to remind everyone that the stems of ginger can also be eaten, and can be used to make pickled mustard tuber or directly stir-fried, and they are also very delicious.