How to Grow Ginger

• Digging roots out annually and replanting will enhance harvest.
• Mulch the soil well to retain soil moisture.
• Stop watering once the green stems die down, let the soil dry out before harvesting.
• Bring potted ginger indoor in winter, as it is not frost tolerant.

Ginger is best harvested in late summer to early autumn when rhizomes are less fibrous and sweeter.

Ginger can also be harvested in winter. These will be more fibrous and spicier.

Aphids are the biggest pest concern for Ginger.

Aphids are small sap-sucking insects that can cause Ginger foliage to yellow or distort. Aphids can be green, yellow, brown or black and often congregate on newly emerging leaves.

Aphids suck out plant juices, then excrete a clear sticky substance known as honeydew. Ants feed off the honeydew and in exchange help protect Aphids from predators. The black powdery substance on the leaves is a fungal disease known as Sooty Mould that feeds on leftover honeydew.

As soon as Aphids are noticed, spray plants thoroughly every 5-7 days with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray. It's important to spray all sides of the foliage and down in amongst the leaf bases, as the spray works via contact action.

Ginger is mostly prone to Snails and Slugs that chew long holes in the foliage.

Ginger's lush dense leaves can be a magnet for Snails and Slugs. They chew through leaves and are particularly common during damp or humid weather. To protect ginger from Snails and Slugs, lightly scatter Yates Snail & Slug Bait around the plants, including from when new leaves just emerge from the soil.

Ginger can be prone to diseases like Bacterial Wilt, Leaf Spots and Rot, which can affect the foliage or the rhizome. There is no home-garden spray to control these diseases. To help reduce the incidence of disease, plant ginger in well-drained soil (or grow ginger in pots) and only plant clean and healthy rhizomes.

Curling leaves can be a sign of sap-sucking pests such as Aphids; diseases such as Fusarium Wilt; too much light; or a watering issue.

When Ginger leaves die back from the tips, this can be a sign of a nutrient issue but is more likely to be a watering issue.

Gingers do best in consistently moist and well-drained soil.

Always plant Ginger in good soil so the plant can access and maintain soil moisture.

Signs of overwatering include leaves dying back from the tips, stems rotting off, and the presence of diseases such as rots, and Bacterial Wilt.

Signs of underwatering include wilting plants, pale leaves, shrivelled leaves, or sudden death.