Ginger
Vegetable Farming in South Africa

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale Common Name: Ginger

Plant Description

Ginger is grown for its aromatic underground rhizome. Above ground the plant is a bamboo-like shrub but with softer leaves and stem.

Uses

Ginger is used in cooking and is used in most Asian style dishes. It can be used in the raw state or can be juiced, made into an essence or the oil is extracted for use in beverages, pickles, candy and preserves. Ginger extract is also used for medicinal purposes and in perfumes.

Soil Requirements and Preparation

Ginger does best on a sandy loam soil that drains well. Soils should be high in organic matter. Till the soil a month before planting. First spread about 30 m³ of compost or manure. Plough to about 500 millimetres mixing the soil well then prepare the planting beds.

This is normally done with a disc harrow working the soil into planting ridges where the ginger rhizomes are planted.

Climate

Ginger is best grown in warm, humid climates where temperatures average between 28°C and 34°C. It likes high rainfall during the growing period so adequate irrigation must be given in the absence of rain. Ginger production is mostly concentrated in the subtropical and tropical regions around the world.

Cultivars

Yellow ginger that has a yellow flesh and White ginger that has clear white flesh are the most widely planted. Other varieties are Jamaica Oya, and Hawaiian.By Louise Brodie

GingerVegetable Farming in South Africa