This project for starting a ginger plant from a root purchased at the local market is a fun way to engage a child's curiosity about their environment.
Common ginger, Zingiber officinale, is a wonderful plant for children to grow because it has so many uses - a flavorful spice, a remedy for the common cold and a cure for an upset stomach. Children can learn that there are benefits of growing plants beyond the beautiful blooms and foliage.
And because ginger's root or rhizome is so odd looking, it is easy to catch the attention of a child for this activity. In fact, the root is often referred to as a "hand" and the sections are called "fingers."
The best time to start a ginger plant from the root is in the spring. When you select roots for growing, choose those that are fresh with 1 to 2 inch long sections and plenty of nodes.
Materials:
fresh gingerroot
1 six inch terra cotta container with drainage holes
sterile potting soil
water
Directions:
Begin by cutting the root into a few pieces, making sure that each piece has a few nodes or buds from which to sprout.
Fill your container 2/3 of the way full with potting soil.
Place the gingerroot pieces flat on top of the soil and cover with about 2 inches more of potting soil.
Water well and place it in a warm windowsill with bright but indirect light. In just a few weeks a stalk will emerge at each one of the nodes. You can expect your plant to grow about 4 feet tall.
If you live in a mild part of the country you can plant this directly outside. Ginger prefers to grow in areas with partial shade and consistently moist, rich soil. In climates that have cold winters, treat it as a tender houseplant and bring it indoors when temperatures drop below 40 degrees F.
While your ginger plant may occasionally produce flowers, it is not a common occurrence. But when you consider what the roots have to offer, you'll hardly miss the blooms. Wait about 4 to 7 months to harvest new roots. Simply cut the leaf stalks close to the top of the root and lift it out of the soil.
What an amazing gift from nature - a fresh supply of flavorful and healthy ginger root and a fun way to introduce your children to the benefits of gardening.
Will post pictures if I take some.
Buttermilk Pie
| Number of servings: 6 |
| Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla 9 inch pie crust |
| Instructions: This pie couldn't be simpler to make. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Next mix all the dry ingredients. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Add the melted butter and buttermilk. Stir in the vanilla Pour this into a 9 inch pie pan lined with an unbaked crust. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 45 minutes. The filling will still be somewhat custard like when you remove the pie from the oven, but it will firm up as it cools. Notes: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest when you mix the dry ingredients for extra flavor. |
3 comments:
This pie sounds like fun too!
Planting a ginger root sounds interesting. I have never heard of using it for a cold or upset stomach. Please show some pictures if you grow any. I used to make those buttermilk pies often before I became a diabetic. Now I very seldom cook sweets. They are delicious. My daughter loves them and so does Ken. He even made some for himself when he was single after I gave him the recipe LOL. Hugs, Helen
I never knew much about ginger root let alone planting it. This is very interesting. I love ginger.
Thanks for the great info
Deb
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