Can I grow ginger in October?

Ginger is a tropical crop that likes light, warmth and humidity. It has weak cold and drought resistance. The most suitable temperature for its growth is 25-28℃. If the temperature is below 20℃, it will germinate slowly. It is already October, so can we plant ginger in October? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Can ginger be planted in October?

1. Northern Region

The suitable time for planting ginger is generally in spring, between March and May. Since the temperature in northern regions begins to drop in October, which is not conducive to the growth and germination of ginger, it is generally not recommended to plant ginger at this time. If you really need to plant in autumn, you may need to take insulation measures, such as building a greenhouse or covering the ground with film, to provide a suitable growing environment.

2. Southern China

In warm areas in the south, such as Guangdong and Guangxi, the temperature in October is still relatively high, which is suitable for the growth of ginger. Therefore, in the southern region, ginger can be planted in October.

2. Ginger planting method in October

1. Site selection and land preparation

Ginger has a small root system and a small distribution range, so fertile and loose loam or sandy loam should be selected for planting. Avoid planting in heavy, moist depressions or infertile land with poor water retention. The land needs to be deeply plowed and exposed to the sun to make the soil weathered and loose, which is conducive to the growth and development of the ginger root system. At the same time, 2000-2500 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer, 20 kg of compound fertilizer and 50-100 kg of cake fertilizer should be applied per mu, plowed into the soil and harrowed.

2. Ginger Selection

Choose ginger pieces that are flat, have good color, short and thick internodes, and are free of pests and diseases as seed ginger. Soak the seeds in 1:1:120 Bordeaux liquid for 20 minutes, or soak them in wood ash solution for 10-20 minutes for disinfection to prevent the spread of ginger blight.

3. Drying seeds and accelerating germination

Before sowing, dry the disinfected ginger seeds in the sun for 2-3 days to reduce the moisture in the ginger seeds. When the ginger skin becomes dry and white, it is time to germinate the ginger. Place the ginger seeds in a bamboo basket lined with straw, cover it with straw mats or straw, and place it in a warm room. After 10-15 days, when the young shoots are about 1-2 cm long, they can be taken out.

4. Planting seeds

Cut the germinated ginger into small pieces, each piece has 12 buds, about 50 grams. Then, dig furrows on the prepared land with a bed width of 1.2 meters and a furrow width of 30 centimeters. Sow and cultivate at a plant spacing of 15-18 centimeters, and cover with 7-10 centimeters of soil. 8,000-9,000 plants can be cultivated per acre.

5. Field management

Ginger is shade-tolerant but not tolerant to strong sunlight, so it is necessary to build a shade shed or use intercropping to provide appropriate shade to avoid strong sunlight. Ginger has a high demand for water during its growth period, especially after the temperature drops in October, so the frequency of watering needs to be increased to keep the soil moist. But also be careful to avoid excessive moisture to avoid causing diseases and insect pests.

The above is an introduction to whether ginger can be planted in October. In the southern region, it can generally be harvested in winter or the following spring. After harvesting, it must be stored in time to prevent the ginger from rotting or deteriorating.