Production Process
Ginseng Seed Harvesting/Preparation
Seeds
We start with authentic American ginseng seeds harvested from our own gardens. Raw seeds are encased in bright, red “berries” that must be mechanically removed and washed to expose the seed kernel. Those seed kernels are then packed into sand to “stratify” for several months when they are planted into beds.
Planting
We meticulously prepare raised rows or beds made of soil that are free of rocks and weeds, and then spread the seeds on the surface and gently work them into the soil. To protect the delicate seeds from exposure to light and wet/dry extremes, we cover the beds with oat straw that we spread on the beds using machines we build ourselves especially for that purpose.
Shade Canopy
Ginseng is special in many ways, especially in that it requires shade throughout the summer months to grow properly. We place 8’ tall poles into the ground all through the gardens, on which we place special, black cloth sheets that simulate the shade of a mature forest of trees.
Growth
Ginseng is a perennial crop that takes several years in the ground to reach marketable size, but much longer to actually produce when you add up other factors. Before we plant ginseng into a new garden, we grow special “cover crops” in that soil for two years, which helps fix nutrients in the soil and prepare it to grow ginseng. So from harvesting seeds for planting to harvesting mature roots for market, the process takes several years.
Harvesting
Harvesting Wisconsin ginseng is a careful, labor-intensive process that takes patience and expertise. The process begins with gently digging up the roots to preserve their shape and potency, as even slight damage can impact quality. Once unearthed, roots are cleaned to remove soil and carefully dried or prepared fresh for sale. This harvesting process, combined with Wisconsin’s unique climate and soil, helps produce some of the world’s highest-quality American ginseng.