Ginseng is a fleshy rooted herb and a slow growing plant that takes years to grow. Ginseng grows in well-drained, cool, shaded hardwood forests. Ginseng does not grow in full sunlight, and hardwood forests provide the plant with plenty of shade. Ginseng is a perennial plant, but unlike other perennials lies dormant some years and does not grow new tops every year. The root does not die but lies dormant until the following year.

Ginseng seeds sprout up in the spring. Hence, the best time to plant is sometime the end of September until the end of February. Seeds or plants will sprout the end of April. Plant seeds about 1/2 to 1 deep, two year old roots about 1 1/2 deep. Lay the roots on their side, not vertical. Then cover the whole bed with 1 I of mulch or rotten leaves.

One-year-old plants will have three leaflets, looking like a strawberry plant. The second year, the plants usually have five leaflets, and the following year, it begins to branch out with two, three and four prongs with three to five leaflets in each prong. It grows in the wild about 1 tall that blooms in the summer. When it ripens in the fall or late summer it has bright red berries. Each berry usually has two seeds. The seeds may be kept in damp sand for one year and used for replanting or sold. It takes about six to eight years to grow to the point where its roots are large enough to harvest. If it is cultivated using fertilizers and pesticides, it takes about 4 or 5 years to grow.

Ginseng roots do not grow straight down. They are usually at about 45 degrees in the ground. Carefully expose the underground stem at the base of the above-ground portion, and follow it until it joins the top of the true root. The taproot may be forked and have many diffusely branched rootlets. Expose the whole root and wash as soon as possible but do not scrub. A little soil left around the root rings may enhance its value.

Spread cleaned roots on a piece of old plywood or screen rack in the shade for drying. Turn frequently and provide adequate aeration. Drying time varies with root size and drying techniques. Large roots require three or more weeks to dry at room temperature or outdoors, but small roots dry in a few days.