Choosing The Correct Location To Plant Ginseng
The first decision that must be made before any work is done is determining where the ginseng should be planted. Ginseng is a very difficult plant to raise because it is susceptible to disease and other problems that can affect the crop. Choosing the correct piece of land is the first step in preventing these problems.
Drainage of the land is one of the most important criteria that should be looked at. The reason for this is that the diseases that affect the roots will develop and spread more rapidly in land that is saturated with water. Freeze out is also another problem that increases in wetter areas in many portions of the United States where frost is a problem. The type of subsoil is a determining factor in deciding if the land is suitable for ginseng. Most types of rocky or sandy subsoil do provide adequate drainage. It also helps if the land is sloped so that the water can be drained away from the ginseng when heavy rains occur.
Ginseng requires shade to grow. Wild ginseng is most often found in the hardwood forests throughout a large portion of the United States. Determining if the correct amount of shade is available is not an exact science. Ginseng will usually grow best in areas where there is approximately 60% - 80% shade provided during mid day. A way to determine if the correct amount of shade is available in a given woods is to look at the ground vegetation below the trees. Ground vegetation of around 1-3 feet tall that is scattered and not very dense usually indicates that the shade present is about correct to grow ginseng. If the ground vegetation is very dense it usually indicates that there is not enough shade and the ginseng will probably not thrive and grow well. Areas that have virtually no ground vegetation indicate that the forest canopy is too thick and it is probably too dark for the ginseng to sprout and survive. Areas like this may be suitable for ginseng if some of the trees are removed to "open up the woods" and provide more light.
Preparing The Soil
After deciding on a given piece of land, the land preparation is next on the agenda. The degree of land preparation will be determined by what your goals and objectives are. For many people this step will involve nothing more than raking back the leaves and "scratching" the ground slightly before planting the seed. For others it may involve tilling the soil and forming beds to plant the ginseng seed in.
When planting small amounts of seed it often works best to plant the ginseng on small knolls or on hillsides where there is proper drainage. Simply rake back the leaves in an area suitable for ginseng (assuming you are in the woods) and scratch the surface slightly using a rake. This area is then ready to be planted. Planting ginseng like this will allow the ginseng to grow as wild ginseng and future care will be very minimal until harvest time.
For people interested in planting larger amounts of ginseng it may work best to till the soil slightly and form raised beds to plant the ginseng in. Beds are formed by shoveling or plowing dirt from what is termed a path into a bed. The beds are usually 2-4 feet wide and can run any distance as long as there is adequate drainage for water to run from the area. They are usually about 5 inches high. The most important reason to form beds is to raise the planting surface above ground level so that the ginseng plants and roots are not submerged in water when heavy rains occur. It is important to note that tilling the soil will probably be necessary to help form the beds. However, it is recommended that the soil be tilled the minimum amount necessary to minimize disturbing the natural growing conditions.
Planting The Seed
Once the area has been prepared the ginseng seed is ready to be planted. The ginseng seed can be broadcast by hand. The normal planting rate for planting ginseng in the woods is usually about 40 pounds per acre of planted area. This means that the seed will probably be about 3 inches apart when distributed. After the seeds have been scattered they can be raked gently into the ground or simply stepped on to press the seeds slightly into the soil. Ginseng seed should never be planted more than 1/4" deep. Once the seed has been planted leaves can be raked back over the seed to help protect the seed from drying out (unlike most seeds, ginseng seed can "dry out" and die if left exposed to sunlight or very dry conditions) and also hide the seed from rodents and other predators. If there are not enough leaves available or you are planting a larger area straw may be used as mulch. A covering of approximately 1"-2" of loose straw should suffice. There are three main reasons for covering the ginseng bed at this time and are listed below.
1.) To eliminate the ginseng seed from drying out. The straw or mulch covering will provide shade and keep the seed and ground cooler and moist.
2.) To help control germination of weeds in the ginseng bed.
3.) To prevent freeze out of the ginseng in subsequent winters.
Once the straw or mulch covering has been placed over the ginseng bed, the actual planting of the ginseng is finished. The seed should be protected from drying out unless a long period of very dry weather is encountered.
