Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in March.
Growing Calendar
This month: Oct
Plan ahead for this crop
- •Check growing conditions
- •Prepare for next stage
Watch Out For
Needs sustained warmth above 15°C all year round: this is a heated-space-only crop in the UK, unlike anything grown outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse
Waterlogged compost rots the rhizome fast: use a free-draining mix and a pot with generous drainage holes rather than keeping it permanently wet
Shoots are slow to appear and easy to mistake for a failed rhizome: growth can take several weeks even in warmth, so resist digging it up to check
Common Questions
About growing Ginger in the UK
Can I grow ginger outdoors in the UK?
No. Ginger needs sustained temperatures above 15°C for its entire eight to ten month growing season, so UK gardeners can only grow it under glass: a heated greenhouse, conservatory, or a warm, bright windowsill indoors.
How much ginger will I actually get?
Modest amounts. Expect roughly 200–400g of fresh rhizome from a single piece planted in spring, harvested the following autumn. It's a rewarding project rather than a way to stock the kitchen.
Can I use a supermarket root to start ginger?
You can try, but supermarket ginger is sometimes treated to stop it sprouting, so success is inconsistent. A fresh, plump piece with visible growth buds from an ethnic grocer or specialist supplier gives more reliable results.
When is ginger ready to harvest?
From late November, once the foliage begins to yellow and die back, roughly eight to ten months after planting. Lift the whole clump carefully and cure the harvested rhizome in a warm, airy spot for a few days before storing.
Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach
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