My Ginger Sprouts But Grows Brown and Dies

Planting Ginger

• Start looking for ginger roots in early spring, which is the plant's normal sprouting period. The best ginger root for planting will be thick and fresh, with several small nodules, or buds. To prepare store-bought ginger root for planting, soak it overnight in lukewarm water to remove any chemical compounds added to stop growth. Cut the root into 1-inch pieces, each with at least one bud, several days before planting to let the cut areas dry and prevent rotting after sowing. When you plant the root pieces, the buds should face up.

Growing Culture

• Ginger grows best in shade, so find a spot in your garden that doesn't get full sun, particularly in the afternoon. Ginger isn't picky about its soil conditions. Plant each piece of root 12 inches apart and cover with 1 inch of soil. Apply mulch to keep the ground moist and prevent weed growth. As a tropical plant, ginger needs temperatures of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit to grow. Below that temperature, the root will go into winter dormancy and its sprouts and grass shoots will die. In a cooler climate, plant ginger root in a pot so you can take it indoors in colder weather. A pot 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide can accommodate three to four pieces of root. Use an herb-growing potting soil mixed with compost, and keep the soil damp, but not soggy. Ginger grass will turn brown and die off if the root sits in water. Feed ginger once a week with a half-strength houseplant fertilizer. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, which can yield a mushy root.

Harvesting

• As temperatures cool near summer's end, your ginger grass will begin browning and dying back. Cut back on watering, and slowly let the soil dry. Once all of the root's grass has turned brown and died off, your ginger root is ready to harvest. Dig up the roots and set them in the shade to dry. If you want to keep your ginger garden going, cut off part of the root and rebury the rest for next season. Store the harvested root in a paper bag in your refrigerator's vegetable drawer. Ginger root will keep for several weeks.

Using Ginger

• You can use the ginger's grass and root. As the grass grows during the summer, snip off small pieces of the shoots, which will grow as tall as 3 feet. Steep the grass, which has a mild gingery taste, in boiling water for several minutes to make a stomach-soothing tea, or toss it into stir-fries near the end of cooking to add a little zest. You can make tea with ginger root as well, by mincing the root, placing it in a tea ball and steeping it in hot water for 10 minutes. Toss minced ginger into salads and sauteed vegetables, or add it to vinegar or salad oil to flavor dressings.