The way to cultivate ginger that regrows after harvest is contingent on the climate method. For example, in my garden in Hawaii, 20% of rhizomes in warm humid soil regrow yearly new shoots. A grower from a temperate climate would need to recreate those conditions through indoor overwintering or mulching.
Tropical Zones (USDA 10-12)
- Partial harvesting triggers natural regeneration
- Maintain 80°F soil with coconut husk mulch
- Monsoon seasons provide ideal moisture levels
Temperate Zones (USDA 5-9)
- Dig and replant rhizomes indoors before frost
- Use heated propagation mats at 70°F
- Apply 6-inch straw blanket over garden beds
For successful regeneration to occur the growth eyes must be intact and the rhizomes must have been dormant for 8 weeks. Unearthed rhizomes should be stored in peat moss at 55°F throughout the winter. My clients in Vermont have had very good success with regrowth, going from 0% regrowth to approximately 75% regrowth, combining this method with spring pre-heating of the soil using the black landscape fabric method.
Partial Harvesting
- Cut rhizomes 1 inch away from central stem
- Leave 3 active buds per remaining piece
- Dust cuts with cinnamon as antifungal
You can also experiment with container gardening to make climate adaptable. I have 5-gallon buckets I move back and forth between the greenhouse and patio in warmer months that allow me to keep the soil temperature in the 68º to 86ºF range. Second-year plants often develop larger rhizomes, confirming ginger has a perennial opportunity when grown through proper seasonal transitions.
Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
