Ginger: instructions from planting to harvest

The healthy ginger is best known for its healing properties. Here you can find out everything about planting, caring for and harvesting the sharp rhizome.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an ancient medicine and has also been known as a spice for thousands of years. In addition to its innumerable medical applications, the people of ancient Asia already knew about its blood circulation-enhancing effect. Ginger was a popular aphrodisiac and was very much appreciated for helping love.

Ginger is probably one of the most diverse plants in the world. The numerous medicinal effects almost make you believe in a miracle cure and the plant scores with its healthy ingredients. But not only that, because ginger is also a real all-rounder in the kitchen.

Ginger: origin and properties

The plant's great secret lies underground: the hot, aromatic rhizome, which we commonly know as ginger. Only this part of the plant is harvested. Even in the Old Testament, dishes were seasoned with ginger and the plant has also enjoyed great popularity in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Ginger once grew in the ancient rainforests of tropical islands. Today it is planted worldwide in the tropics and subtropics. The perennial plant looks a little bit like grass or reed with its up to one and a half meters high fronds. The parallel-veined leaves are arranged on the right and left on large, fleshy stems that sprout directly from the rhizome. Once a year the yellowish-purple flowers appear, which grow on their own stem directly from the ground.

Buying a ginger plant: what you should pay attention to

When buying a ginger plant, don't let its German name impress you. If you want to buy real ginger, you should go to it Zingiber officinale Keeping an eye out. Numerous representatives of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) are traded under the synonym "ginger". The species is hidden behind the red ginger, for example Alpinia purpurata with their beautiful decorative flowers. The torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is related to ginger, but more of a cut flower than a well-known kitchen spice.

If you want to grow ginger yourself, you should make sure that you choose the right root. In principle, the replica works with all roots, but there are some differences. To make sure that the ginger rhizome has not been treated with a growth-inhibiting substance, it is advisable to buy an organically grown ginger tuber. In the best case, it is nice and smooth and fresh.

Planting ginger

You can bring the tropical plant into your home and grow fresh ginger yourself. All you need is a large flower pot, a high-quality soil like ours Plantura organic universal soil and a piece of ginger about four inches long. Place the ginger in the soil about two inches and then cover it again. Now it's time to keep the earth moist and warm. After a few weeks, with a bit of luck, the first shoot will appear. Now is the time to move the plant in as sunny a spot as possible so that it produces large, fresh rhizomes that you can harvest in the fall.

Detailed instructions on the subject "Planting ginger" You will find here.

Maintain ginger

The most important thing for the ginger plant is actually a lot of sun from the first moment. So give the plant the sunniest spot you can find. The ginger likes to be outside in summer as long as the temperatures never fall below 12 ° C.

Pour ginger

Always keep the ginger moist. Nevertheless, the pot should have a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging, as this quickly leads to rotting of the rhizome and roots. You should only use water with little lime for watering. If your tap water has a high proportion of lime, then captured rainwater is a good alternative. As soon as the above-ground shoots begin to die off in autumn, you should slowly stop watering and let it be completely over the winter. Only in the spring from February is pouring back in fashion.

Cut ginger

Ginger doesn't need to be cut. In any case, the plant only develops annual shoots that turn yellow and die in autumn. You can only remove them when they are completely dry - or when you are harvesting them.

Fertilize ginger

It is best to mix a portion of slow release fertilizer under the soil in spring. In this way, the ginger is optimally supplied with nutrients until autumn. A second dose in early summer strengthens the plant even more. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with organic long-term effects is ideally suited for this. Alternatively, you can also add compost.

Propagate ginger

Ginger is extremely easy to propagate. If you harvested the roots in autumn, you can cut the part that you do not want to use in the kitchen into pieces about four centimeters long. You should divide these into several pots and overwinter dry at around 10 ° C. In spring, with the right care, a new ginger plant will grow from each of the individual pieces.

Harvest ginger

You can harvest your home-grown ginger in autumn from October. The plant will clearly show you the right time by starting to pull back its leaves. They turn yellow and gradually dry up. Your mission will come shortly beforehand. Simply dig the rhizome out of the ground. If you also want to harvest ginger in the coming year, you should leave part of the rhizome in the ground. You can now remove the rest and use it.

All details about the Harvesting ginger You will find here.

Preserving and storing ginger

To preserve ginger, you have a wide variety of options, depending on your preference. Whether dried and grated as a ginger spice or tea, candied with sugar or pickled in syrup or vinegar - that is entirely up to your taste. Freezing yourself is a possibility.

As How to preserve ginger properly, find out here.

Ginger: ingredients and uses

Ginger has so many beneficial ingredients that it is easy to lose track of them. The gingerols deserve special attention. Together with the shoagoles, they ensure the spiciness of the ginger and are responsible for the innumerable medicinal uses of the plant. The medicinal efficacy has been known to mankind for thousands of years and ginger was cultivated for this purpose in Europe as early as the Middle Ages. But ginger is also very popular as a spice or even food. In England in particular, dishes such as ginger jam or candied ginger are known as special treats.

tip: The numerous minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium, which the ginger roots combine, are also popular. Even vitamin C is not neglected.

Medicinal effects of ginger against coughs, diarrhea and the like

For traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, ginger is one of the most important spices. Even in the Middle Ages, ginger was used successfully against numerous ailments. With its countless modes of action, it is a real wonder drug.

How is ginger used as a medicinal plant?

• Common cold: ginger contains anti-inflammatory substances. One of the best-known and easiest uses is therefore the tried and tested ginger tea with honey against coughs, sore throats and colds.
• Stomach and intestines: Ginger has a very positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach discomfort and nausea are alleviated, and digestion is promoted. Ginger can also help against motion sickness.
• Stimulation of the circulation: With its effect on the blood circulation, ginger has a stimulating effect on the circulation. Due to the effect of ginger on blood circulation, it is also considered an aphrodisiac.
• Pain relief: The ingredient gingerol is similar to acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. A good piece of freshly grated ginger in a fruit juice is therefore also effective against headaches. If you are not a fan of fresh ginger, you can of course also prepare a ginger tea.
• Anti-carcinogenic effect: ginger has an antioxidant effect and can bind free radicals. It has been proven that it can prevent cancer or be used in conjunction with cancer therapy.

Note: However, caution is advised for pregnant women. While ginger has a positive effect on nausea in early pregnancy, too large amounts can trigger labor later on.