The Grow Your Own Ginger Challenge.

[T8Ter]

I'll have a crack at this also - sounds great.

[sewer rat]

I'm in too - if only so that when someone asks me at the Farmers Market "Is that Ginger? ", I'll be able to direct them away from the Jerusalem Artichokes and point at the ginger and say, "No but that is !"

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Count me in as well

[organic]

It seems my ginger isn't feeling to good.

It was a sort of pale green when I potted it, it took on a really strong green colour at first, but now it's turning brown. It hasn't been taking up much water, the soil is still quite damp despite not being watered in a good while.

I have a feeling it has realised its mistake and decided it really IS the wrong time of year - that or I've killed it (entirely possible) by doing something wrong.

I'll keep you posted.

[Reb Williams]

I like this idea. A bit of a stupid question, apologies, but can you use the shoots for cooking, too, or just the root?

Reb
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Finally published, thank you for voting: adventures in self-sufficiency - Grow Your Own Cows

[Rhona]

I was thinking of growing ginger too so I'm in.

Reb, not sure about eating shoots, but after a couple of years of growing the plant, you will get really beautiful flowers for your trouble.

[Rhona]

... also, it's worth trying a few different types as some have growth inhibitors. Tesco ginger has always sprouted happily for me though!

[maytreefrannie]

I'd love to join in the Ginger Growing Experiment - I never knew the roots we buy in the supermarket would sprout.

Is it recommended to buy some and put it on kitchen paper or something to help the sprouting before the New Year?

[Brengirl]

Me too. I love experiments. I googled 'what's the difference between root and stem ginger and it seems that fresh root is called stem. In that case if we grow our own we could preserve some in syrup.

[Alice]

Maytreefrannie, have a look through the ginger in the supermarket and see if you can find some with little green bumps appearing. That's where the growing shoot appears from.
For some reason the supermarkets cut them off but if you keep looking you'll find some.
If not just leave some ginger in your kitchen and see if the little green bits appear.
When that happens plant the ginger in a pot with the tip if the little green bump just at the surface.
Good luck.

[Angelflower]

I'll try it too I did have some that started sprouting in my basket with potatoes, moved onto the lazy ginger for cooking now

[Brengirl]

I didn't know you had to leave them to sprout. I nipped off some fingers put them in compost and I do believe they are swelling and feeling fruity.

[maytreefrannie]

Maytreefrannie, have a look through the ginger in the supermarket and see if you can find some with little green bumps appearing. That's where the growing shoot appears from.
For some reason the supermarkets cut them off but if you keep looking you'll find some.
If not just leave some ginger in your kitchen and see if the little green bits appear.
When that happens plant the ginger in a pot with the tip if the little green bump just at the surface.
Good luck.

Alice, thanks for your good advice - I'm looking forward to going to Tesco tomorrow and having a good old furtle through the ginger.

[Alice]

I hope you find what you're looking for Maytreefrannie.
If you don't find it tomorrow, don't despair.
Just keep looking. January is a good time to plant so bags of time yet.

[Lizzy]

I have only just picked up this challenge, would love to take part.