Growing Gardens

with Julia Hancock

Ginger for all Seasons

Ginger has been cultivated for centuries for protection against disease and is an excellent remedy for winter chills. Its antiseptic properties ward off colds and influenza and an infusion of ginger tea spreads a warm glow to all parts of an aching body.

To thrive, ginger requires a hot, humid climate with abundant rainfall so unless your garden is prone to heavy frosts, you should be able to grow it. The plant becomes dormant in the winter when all above-ground parts die off, and can be protected from occasional light frosts by placing a thick straw mulch over the clump. Alternatively, ginger can be grown in a pot and brought inside in very cold weather.

Plants are propagated from rhizomes, which are easy to purchase at most greengrocers but it's important to buy a length containing one or two little green buds. Ginger requires rich, well-composted soil with excellent drainage - too soggy and it will rot. Container-grown plants should be kept on the dry side throughout their winter dormancy to prevent damping off.

Ginger can be planted in winter in frost-free areas, or spring in cooler parts of the region. The new shoots resemble bamboo, and because they are willowy, they should be protected from strong winds. Plants should be watered well during their growth phase in spring and summer, taping off in autumn and ceasing in winter.

Harvesting can commence within four months of planting, when the rhizomes are still fresh and green. More often they are harvested when the foliage has died down and the rhizome has had a chance to harden.

Apart from being excellent boost to one's health, ginger is also delicious in gingerbread, cakes, candied sweetmeats, curries, chutney, biscuits, marmalade, jam, rice pudding, ginger beer and pickled as an accompaniment to Japanese food.

Lismore Garden Club

This week we'll look at citrus trees. Now is the time to remove all gall wasp from your trees before they flower.

Using a sharp pair of cutters to remove all the gall on the root side of the gall. There's no need to overcut because the wasp is in the gall.

And to save money, save you wash suds and us it to spray your citrus tree. Really saturate them about once every 10 days. This method removes scale and aphids.

The simplest method is to purchase white oil and use as per the instructions on the bottle. I bought 5lt of white oil and only use it twice a year -the soap suds do the rest.

Happy gardening.

Inquiries: Don 6624 3855.