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- GARDENER'S DREAM
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- What gardener hasn't wanted to plant a seed or plant and then wished
- it would somehow not only bring the delight of watching the seed
- produce food, but somehow make extra money?
-
- There is a plant that will do just that for those of us who aspire to
- such dreams! Ginseng!
-
- In its natural wild state, Ginseng is found growing in a cool and
- shady hardwood forests, (for those who live in coninferous forests,
- lime may be added to the soil to "sweeten" it.) The soil must be
- well drained and plenty of leaf mold and rotted wood added to produce
- a rich humus. These may be obtained in the wild or from your local
- nursery, or if you are a composting enthusiast, this will do nicely.
-
- Ginseng does not grow in full sunlight, so the natural place to plant
- it is in the forest where trees provide the needed shade. For those
- growing Ginseng in their backyards, a convient shade may be made by
- purchasing shade material, sold in convenient rolls, or made by
- making a 3 foot framework over the Ginseng patch which will hold
- branches and other material to create an artificial shade.
-
- Ginseng is a perennial plant, but unlike other perennials, lies
- dormant some years and does not grow new tops every year. The root
- does not die, but lays dormant until the following year.
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- Seeds can be planted individually throughout the woods, which is
- nature's way, and the closer it grows in its natural environment,
- the more it has the characteristics of Wild Ginseng. When planted
- under Lath Sheds or other artificial shade, the roots are heavier
- in weight, are shaped different and they grow faster. This means
- you get twice as many pounds.
-
- If you have access to woods, a method of natural planting is to
- loosen up the woods dirt with a rake or similar tool and broadcast
- the seed lightly, then rake it in a little and cover it with mulch,
- this you can get from surrounding wood areas.
-
- When planting in rows, no matter which method you choose, plant the
- rows 12-18 inches apart and the seeds about 4 inches apart in the
- row. Plant seeds 1\4-1\2 inch deep. As soon as planted, seeds
- should be covered with woods dirt or humus. Seeds must never be
- left to get dry or they won't grow. After being planted and covered,
- then cover them with about a two inch mulch so the plant can come up
- through in the spring. Rotted leaves are best for mulch or else
- straw or rotted hardwood sawdust can be used. Mulch again the
- following fall, but don't put on mulch too early, usually first part
- of November in most sections. Mulch helps prevent heaving by frost
- and keeps ground from drying out and baking.l It is good to leave
- some mulch on all the time. When planted throughout the patch, this
- is usually taken care of naturally, by the leaves falling in the
- fall. Growing Ginseng commercially, (on a large scale), is
- profitable if one wants to make a business of growing it or just
- bring in some extra income.
-
- The future for growing Ginseng has a terrific outlook, and should
- stay in constant demand, now in the United States in the addition
- to the Orient. All Health Food Stores, as well as Drug Stores now
- sell it in capsule, powdered, etc.
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