Fresh Ginger Twilight Talk

According to Illinois Extension research, growing fresh ginger in Illinois could be a profitable endeavor for small farmers - and it can be grown outdoors

Ginger is one of the world's most popular spices, prized for its bold flavor and wide range of uses, from cooking and beverages to health and wellness products.

Most grocery store ginger is grown in tropical regions with a 10+ month growing season. While productive on a per-pound basis, mature ginger is fibrous, has a thick skin that must be peeled, and typically sells for about $6-7 per pound retail price.

Fresh, or "baby," ginger is harvested earlier, at just 5-6 months of age. It has no thick skin, little to no fiber, and vibrant yellow flesh with colorful streaks of pink, purple, and green. The whole plant can be used fresh or in value-added products. Because of its exceptional quality and uses, baby ginger can sell for $20-25 per pound, retail, in major Illinois markets.

Most Illinois growers who have ever experimented with baby ginger have used high tunnels to grow it. However, many producers remain hesitant to dedicate valuable high tunnel space to a crop with limited research-based production recommendations.

After two years of research in Normal, Illinois, we can confidently say that ginger can be grown successfully outdoors in Central Illinois, and it can be profitable. 

Join us on September 30th at the Unity Community Center's Food Production and Demonstration Garden for the Fresh Ginger Twilight Talk, from 5:30 to 6:30PM, where IL Extension staff will share new understandings of fresh ginger production techniques that work, outdoors, in production garden beds and containers.

Covered content will include: pre-sprout (germination) method, container ginger culture, fertilizer trials, timed irrigation/fertigation options, crop harvest plan, and more. We will additionally harvest a rhizome for visual demonstration purposes. During Q & A, participants can enjoy candied ginger and ginger tea.

Twilight Talk participants will be well on their way to having the knowledge necessary to grow their own ginger on their farm or in their garden next year.

NOTE: In case of inclement weather, the Twilight Talk will take place the following Wednesday, the 7th of October, same time (5:30-6:30PM), same place.

COST: $5 per person to attend (online pre-payment via credit card/debit card strongly preferred)

Space will be limited for this workshop and there will be a waitlist - so sign up soon, and PLEASE plan to attend or cancel as soon as possible by emailing Nick so others can attend.

Address and Directions:
Unity Community Center - 632 Orlando Avenue, Normal IL, 61761
Garden and Research Area is behind the building on the north side
Park on either side of the building and arrive 5-10 minutes early for check-in so we can begin promptly.