Planting Ginseng in Forests

Ginseng expert, Bob Beyfuss, explains how to plant ginseng in the forest. After identifying a site with adequate shade and the proper calcium levels, it's time to plant. In a wild-simulated situation, the plants shouldn't be crowded and fertilizers are not recommended.

[@prizeinside]

Rest in peace Bob. Your teachings and enthusiasm for this plant is contagious to many. And will be for many more years to come.

[@CalvinsCorner72]

Would like to see a follow up video of this area after they start to grow. Thanks for sharing

[@EliteKnightTV]

Great video. I found the expert to be very informative and concise. Me and my father have 50 acres of forest......and you can guess what were doing lol Thanks!

[@exforestfarming]

There are a couple of "organic" rodent repellents sold at most farm and home stores such as Agway. They are based on Castor oil.

[@artistpw]

Mice and rats seems to avoid peppermint oil. It may help to plant pepper mint around the plants. The strong odor may interfere with their sense of smell at least for rats. Ammonia may help, too.

[@raykim1949]

you’d have to be careful because mint plants spread very easily

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Thank you for the great video!! I've been trying to get ginseng started for several years with no luck and went over to spikenard, but I think after watching this, I try 'seng again.

[@TheVictoryHomestead]

This was incredibly helpful and informative! Thank you so much for posting.

[@exforestfarming]

+Karen Berry Glad you enjoyed it! Best of luck with all of your forest farming endeavors!

[@kellymarie7175]

This is so helpful, and appreciated!

[@RedFree100]

The best info I have heard so far about planting, interesting enough the few seed I bought and planted, did best under hard maple. Thank you vary much.

[@exforestfarming]

That's fantastic. It's our hope that forest farming will increase the diversity of land owner's forests and income. If you're ever in need of further information or have questions regarding your farming endeavors, you can ask an Extension expert at this link: ask.extension.org/groups/1727/ask They're very good at getting back to you with an informed answer.

[@RedFree100]

Thanks for link

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Where do you buy the seeds for ginseng, and would they work in my area of town. We are in growing zone 5 where I live.

[@MrDanrn999]

Thank you, for making this video.

[@courtne-the-great7961]

I cannot agree with the Fall vs Spring planting. I just planted my seeds in April inside AFTER they germinated in good potting soil in the frig. After two weeks, the plants look fine and I plan to plant them under a maple tree in fall and early spring. Also, I will keep some as indoor potted plant. Giving them 1000-2000 lux of light and South Pole magnet under the pot. But you have a good video, just wanted you to know I’m successful planting germinated seeds in the springtime

[@mightyconker3903]

Sounds like you planted a pottedmtray seedling to me

[@Satarma61]

Very helpful video. Well explained without going too much into scientific details.

[@marthaconover4460]

Wow! Thanks for the great info!! I now know where I will plant my seeds I get this fall. I knew I'd lose them in my tree line/ woods, and didn't want to construct a shade tent...which would be an eyesore. So excited to figure it out...where I can keep an eye on them, as well. Eeeeeks! Thanks for your video!!!

[@exforestfarming]

Hi Martha, if you're interested in additional resources, consider checking out our website www.appalachianforestfarmers.org. Membership is free and it comes with access to our forest farming panel of experts who you can contact with specific questions should they arise.

[@jamesdavis2354]

Great information. I have been planting to deep. I have all hardwood yet a lot of the plant I have a hard time finding a dealer to sell to in Nashville tn. Also I need to hire the fast worker like the guy around 3:40 in your video. LOVED it.

[@exforestfarming]

james davis Hi James, If you contact Eric Burkhart ( [e-mail] ) He may be able to connect you to a ginseng dealer.

[@jamesdavis2354]

***** Thanks Forest Farming. I contacted them and helped a lot.

[@exforestfarming]

Great! Best of luck with your ginseng crop!

[@frankenz66]

I always hear that the Black Walnut tree sites were a good place for finding ginseng as well. The leaves rot relatively quick and are a little more alkaline like maple. My site is a mix of oak and maple.

[@exforestfarming]

+Franklin Taylor Black Walnut trees actually emit chemicals that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants. Here is an article that might explain this better. www.warnell.uga.edu/outreach/pubs/pdf/forestry/Walnut%20Allelopathy%2011-10.pdf

[@frankenz66]

Thanks for the link I was aware of walnut's posioning/inhibiting ability. I was actually at one time considering lining a walking path with Black Walnut and Sugarberry trees to inhibit sapling brush growing along a walk way on my property previously. I have eaten potatoes and tomatoes grown right next to Black walnut trees and had a good little garden. I have seen apple trees grow and produce just fine next to them. So, I sometimes wonder about it's inhibiting abilities. I do know lawn grass is often inhibted around them as well, but they do make considerable shade and that would contribute in tandem I'd guess. I have never seen ginseng around walnut trees it was just something my Father, and my much more experienced in hunting it bro in law said. I have a canopy of primarily very tall white oak, Some hickory, some Sugar Maple, and an understory of light starved sugar maple and dogwood where the ginseng on my property is. Thanks for getting back with me and for the link.

[@exforestfarming]

My pleasure! Thank you for tuning into our channel.

[@bobbybrowning619]

I found my healthiest gin seng in sassifrass patches

[@cooch422]

we just finished a house in northern Ontario I found at least 100 three and four prong plants and I would say 20 or 25 with seeds but the thing is they were growing around hemlock trees I didn't think they grew around pine

[@exforestfarming]

Wow! Were the seeds already red?

[@cooch422]

no still green but the other contractors had no clue of what they are they ran over or buried probably 50 plants going back in fall to pick

[@charronfamilyconnect]

WOw, I didn't think they grew that far north. You must be near Algonquin park if I was to guess eh?

[@Riri-vn6xb]

Hi. I see maple canopies are great. Oak won’t work. How about under cherry wood trees?

[@filipou1000]

All your videos are excellent- tks

[@exforestfarming]

+Filou Piratou Thank you so much! If you ever need additional information, please visit our website www.extension.org/forest_farming

[@shanek6582]

Will red maple leaves also break down? I've got tons of red maple but no sugar maple here in Sevierville TN, thanks.

[@altha-rf1et]

Thanks for the info plan on planting a 1/4 acre every year. I live in Florida right near the Alabama Georgia state line. I checked it does grow here this is one of the few areas in Florida that it does. I check with the Department of AG. in Tallahassee no one know of anyone growing it the woods, he could not find any laws on Ginseng in the state of Florida.

[@exforestfarming]

altha 2014 I would suggest contacting your local extension office. Or you can visit our website and direct any questions to this link: ask.extension.org/groups/1727/ask

[@altha-rf1et]

I did. They said it will grown in NW Florida. We get cold weather here enough in the year. There are no laws in Florida on growing Ginseng. We got some seeds and planted a 1/4 of an acre. Going to do another1/4 this year. Also, for the fun of it to see if it works going to try growing so hydroponically.

[@exforestfarming]

Wow, that's fantastic! Best of luck with your ginseng crop!

[@exforestfarming]

It will be interesting to see how the hydroponic crop does....

[@altha-rf1et]

Me too. I was talking with my brother, we both wish we would had heard about this 20 years ago, but we are in early 50's so maybe we will start having some good crops in 5 more years There is a Japan company doing it, I came across it on you tube. I two Hydroponic Towers that holds 400 plants each. They produce a lot of food for us and our extended families, So I'm working on one now using a 10 foot PVC pipe. planting 20 plants I spread them out a little to see how they will do.

[@markelliott3378]

Any suggestions for the following spring as far as site treatment?

[@burtzland]

Very well done

[@exforestfarming]

Thanks for sharing our video! More to come in the future.

[@showmaster0377]

very informative.

[@rrketc2]

Wow, this is an excellent video with great nuggets of information. I am wondering about deer and wild boar. Will these animals cause a problem, grazing or digging up the ginseng roots?

[@Satarma61]

From what I understand, it's not a stable food for deer but if they're hungry they will eat it. You may have to put a fence around.

[@cryhavoc9748]

No Sugar Maple on my land. Can't throw a rock without hitting an Oak tree, so.... Guess I'm out of luck.

[@meralkarasulu4191]

Is there a good seed source you would recommend?

[@elliotw5918]

I live in the southern Appalachians, would now or later in April/early may be alright to plant? Anybody want to chime in I'm all ears

[@skythao2586]

Hello there, I would love to pay for some of your ginseng seeds and please let me know thanks.

[@Lonewolf_1776]

Do you have to worry poachers?

[@Realdimash]

At the end of the video you( in the steps) it says to sprinkle with rodent reppelent....are there any natural(non-chemical) ones you can suggest?

[@briantruax1682]

medicated baby powder works also for healthy plants

[@Coolnesski]

Turkeys are more of a threat than rodents.

[@Doesitmatter88]

Will ginseng grow in a area that is heavily populated with black walnut trees?

[@fozzyozzy1030]

doesitmatter agree will it gro here ?

[@nickprince31]

I would like to plant ginseng in Southeast Oklahoma. They grow naturally a couple of counties East and north of me in the Ouachita and Ozark foothills. We mainly have Oak, Ash and Hickories. Any recommendations?

[@cherrelle40]

Did you ever plant? How did it go?

[@junpower010]

Great video!

[@exforestfarming]

Thanks junpower010! More to come in the future.

[@junpower010]

I am interested in starting my own ginseng farm and have hunted wild ginseng with my uncle in Korea very close to our farm where it grown naturally. Ive found 3 man roots myself when I was 12 and plan on a trip to start a small farm of wild simulated Korean ginseng but am also wondering if some parts of California would work well also.

[@exforestfarming]

Hi junpower010, If you have any questions regarding climate/soil type etc, our Forest Farming Extension site is a wonderful resource to check out. You can visit this link: ask.extension.org/groups/1727/ask to ask an extension expert any questions you might have. Our network is composed of university professionals and volunteers and your questions will be directed to the right people within that network. We wish you all the best with your ginseng farm.

[@junpower010]

Thank you so much! I will be taking a trip to Korea this fall to do some ginseng hunting in the hills I hunted as a child 20 years ago. I plan on taking some soil samples from the areas I find and possibly starting a small batch on out farm there.

[@exforestfarming]

Best of luck with your endeavors junpower010!

[@danielbaldwin3825]

can ini grow ginseng in south england? :)

[@jachinhill2152]

I hope I don't have a predictment.. I planted an area under a high canopy of Maple trees in mid Oct. I planted just before the leaves would fall. I am concerned that not all of my seeds were covered (mulched) adequately by the leaves and also that they might have dried out since we were having some drought this fall. I tried to get them deep enough but I'm sure some landed on the soil surface.. am i in trouble anybody?

[@briantruax1682]

some of your seed might lay dormant for a year and skip a year if you plant more seed this year sprinkle some medicated baby powder over your site helps the plant n will also keep bugs and rodents away n i been growing for 13 years

[@billylewis9174]

There are places on ebay selling seeds to plant for ginseng. Would these not work since they have not been refrigerated?

[@exforestfarming]

Hi Billy, There is a chance they could work, but buying ginseng seeds from someone in your region may offer a higher chance of success. I suggest calling your local extension agent to find out where you might purchase seeds locally. Also, consider checking out our website www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/. Becoming a member is free and will open access to a host of other resources for all things forest farming. Thanks for checking out our channel and best of luck in growing ginseng or any other forest crops!

[@kimbennett7318]

@@exforestfarming Can ginseng grow in Jamaica

[@briantruax1682]

i buy my seeds from the man on ebay from ohio and i have not any problems with seeing the plants the very next spring..good luck

[@davem9939]

do you wait until the berries are fully red to harvest for replanting ?

[@exforestfarming]

Hi Dave, Yes, you want the berries to be completely ripe before planting them. Just recall however, that it will take two cold seasons for a new seed to germinate.

[@dgott7726]

@@exforestfarming Do you plant the whole red berry, or just the seed inside? I would assume the whole berry is fine... that's how nature does it.

[@frankspataro9714]

I dont believe half of what ya said about seeds I planted seeds that I had for years and they grow and I float test seeds from berries this year and plant in sep they come up the next year not all but some definitely come up every time

[@lingcodful]

where do i get some seeds

[@exforestfarming]

If you visit our Forest Farming Extension site, you can ask an expert at this link: ask.extension.org/groups/1727/ask Your question will be directed to an extension expert who can direct you to seed purchase. Thanks for your interest in Forest Farming!

[@briantruax1682]

i buy mine from ebay and the man is from ohio good seeds ..

[@DanteKnox]

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