How to Grow Baby Ginger Root

Choose a piece of ginger that appears plump, without wrinkled skin.

Cut the ginger into smaller pieces, each measuring at least 1-inch and no larger than 2 inches, and having an eye, or growing point. Set the ginger pieces aside for three days while they form a callus over the cut portion.

Find a planting spot that receives sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Til the soil until it's light and fluffy, with no clods of dirt larger than your fist. Add 3 inches of compost and 3 inches of sand and use a garden fork to blend the amendments into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

Push the ginger pieces 1 inch into the soil, 15 inches apart and cover them with soil. Water to a depth of 3 inches and keep the soil moist at all times. Overwatering may rot the ginger rhizome.

Water to keep the top inch of soil moist at all times.

Fertilize the baby ginger plants by side-dressing the row with 12-5-14 or similar fertilizer. Dig a trench, 2 inches deep and 4 inches away from the ginger plants. Sprinkle the fertilizer, according to the rate listed on the fertilizer package, on the bottom of the trench, cover it with soil and water to a depth of 6 inches. Ginger has a tendency toward potassium deficiencies so whichever fertilizer you choose, ensure that it is high in potassium.

Harvest the baby ginger when the scales turn pink. This generally occurs within 4 to 6 months after planting.