Table of Contents
Ginseng grows best in a moist, well drained soil. Successful growth of ginseng most often occurs in sites where herbaceous woodland plants such as Jack-in the-pulpit, bloodroot, Solomon’s seal and ferns are growing. If no herbaceous plants are growing on the forest door, ginseng will probably not grow there.
What states allow you to grow ginseng?
There are 19 states that allow harvesting of wild ginseng for export: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Why is growing ginseng illegal?
The root of the ginseng plant has been coveted for thousands of years as a natural curative. Because the slow-growing plant is destroyed to harvest the root, those who illegally harvest ginseng can face stiff fines or imprisonment.
Can you grow ginseng in your backyard?
Best of all, there is no huge time commitment necessary to start ginseng farming. You can earn some nice extra cash growing ginseng in your backyard nursery. You don’t need several acres to do it either. In fact, after six years you can make over $100,000 with just a half-acre of land.
Can you grow ginseng anywhere?
Well, the hardwood forests of the eastern United States and Canada are ginseng’s natural habitat, but it can be cultivated almost anywhere north of central Alabama . . . if the area receives between 20 and 40 inches of rainfall annually.
Can I legally grow ginseng?
It is illegal to harvest American ginseng roots on most State lands and all National Park Service land. Some U.S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng.
How much is a lb of ginseng worth?
As I write this, prices for quality roots are going for between $300 to $600 per pound. Also, ginseng is an ideal crop if you’ve got a patch of hardwood trees, such as maple or oak, that you don’t plan to harvest for a few years.
Where can I find ginseng in the woods?
Go to forests that have Beech Trees, Maple Trees, Hickory trees, Oak Trees, Basswood Trees, and Tulip Poplar Trees. Ginseng grows well in the shade of these trees. If you begin to harvest late into the season, you may have more difficulty finding ginseng.
How much does wild ginseng sell for?
DNR records indicate that over the last 10 years, annual wild ginseng prices have ranged from $250 to $880 per pound, with an average annual price of $483 per pound. The baseline price used for this analysis is $480. Other costs.
How much is an acre of ginseng worth?
The ginseng market varies from year to year, but when the price is high it’s possible to net up to $50,000 per acre. There is one drawback: it takes from five to 10 years for the roots to reach a marketable size.
Is it profitable to grow ginseng?
Growers can make a solid income from even a small space, as well. For example, a half-acre planted in ginseng will start producing seeds in the third year. At the current prices, a half acre garden could produce $100,000 worth of seeds and roots over a six year period, or over $16,000 per year.
How much does it cost to start a ginseng farm?
Modern ginseng cultivation today ranges from extremely intensive, high input, high risk, field production utilizing polypropylene shade cloth, with production costs alone of at least $65,000 per acre to establish and grow a three year crop, to less than a $100 investment in seed that may be grown in a “wild simulated” Oct 5, 2015.
Can you eat ginseng berries?
Many people use only the ginseng root for tea, which is purported to relieve stress, maintain stamina, increase focus, and boost immunity. The concentrate is usually added to tea and often sweetened with honey. It’s safe to eat raw berries too, which are said to be mildly tart but rather flavorless.
How can I buy ginseng?
Purchasing Ginseng. Purchase ginseng from a health food store for the best brands. Getting ginseng from health food stores or pharmacies will provide you with access to the highest quality products. Most big box retailers also offer ginseng, typically close to their pharmacy departments.
How do you grow ginseng in the woods?
Plant ginseng seeds, by hand, three inches apart in each furrow About one ounce or 500 seeds will be needed to plant three furrows at this spacing in a bed that is 5 feet wide and 50 feet long . Cover the seeds with 3/4 inch of soil. After planting, carefully step down each row to firm the soil around the seeds.
How do you start a ginseng farm?
Sow your ginseng seeds about one inch below the soil surface, spacing your seeds between 14 and 20 inches apart to encourage air circulation and reduce the chance of disease problems. Be patient. Ginseng seeds can take up to 18 months to germinate, while ginseng plants can take around three to five years to mature.
How much does ginseng seeds cost?
Viable ginseng seeds (Figure 2) are one of the most significant investments in establishing a successful ginseng operation. One pound of stratified seed contains an estimated 6,400–8,000 seeds. Current stratified seed prices range from $150–$200 per pound.
What is the price of ginseng?
Prices paid for ginseng root also vary greatly by production method. Field grown ginseng produced under artificial shade sells for $10–$25/dry lb. while wild and wild-simulated root annual averages have ranged from $350 to $500/dry lb.
How do you make money from ginseng?
3 Ways To Profit Growing Ginseng Mature roots. Patient growers will love the profits you can make from mature ginseng roots. After the sixth year you should mature roots ready to sell. Seeds. Ginseng Berries. After the third year, your ginseng garden should be producing seed that you can start selling. Rootlets.
