Ginseng picking | Field & Stream

Message Boards

Campfire

Ginseng picking

Uploaded on February 19, 2009

I have read different books that have touched on how to pick ginseng, and none of them tell you exactly how to do it. From what I hear it can be a good way to make extra money for spending time in the woods. I know there is a way of picking it so you don't ruin the root, and it has to be a certain size. What do you guys think?

Top Rated

All Replies

from kolbster wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

all that you want from ginseng is the root and the berry, the root is used in medications, in the 2007 ginseng season the root was selling for $800 for a dried pound, and yes most states hove a season. the berries arent used for any thing, put you can plant them where you know where you know where it is. the berries are POISON do not eat them. ginseng also doesnt grow every year. most of the time it comes up every other year. dont ask me why.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Great information! How do you pick it and what are you looking for?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jay wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

In Illinois, there is a season. You also have to buy a permit to harvest ginseng. You'll have to check your states regulations.

In the fall, the berries turn bright red which makes it easier to find. I dig up the roots with a common garden trowel. I place the berries back in the hole left from digging up the roots. Wash the roots with cold water and let dry. I dry mine on an old window screen.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from VT Outdoorsman wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Here is what i know on the subject. It is abundant in my woods, but to pick a pound of it will take a very long time and it may not even be worth it. You need to keep in mind that to sell it, it needs to be dried, so it takes a ton of roots to make a pound. Not to be a pessimist, but i looked into this pretty hard and thats what i found.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Yeah, it does take the wind out of my sails, but people have made money before.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from VT Outdoorsman wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Yea if you have the time it would be cool to do.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

In these tough econimic times I think more people like me will make the time.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Reply

from kolbster wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

all that you want from ginseng is the root and the berry, the root is used in medications, in the 2007 ginseng season the root was selling for $800 for a dried pound, and yes most states hove a season. the berries arent used for any thing, put you can plant them where you know where you know where it is. the berries are POISON do not eat them. ginseng also doesnt grow every year. most of the time it comes up every other year. dont ask me why.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Great information! How do you pick it and what are you looking for?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jay wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

In Illinois, there is a season. You also have to buy a permit to harvest ginseng. You'll have to check your states regulations.

In the fall, the berries turn bright red which makes it easier to find. I dig up the roots with a common garden trowel. I place the berries back in the hole left from digging up the roots. Wash the roots with cold water and let dry. I dry mine on an old window screen.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from VT Outdoorsman wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Here is what i know on the subject. It is abundant in my woods, but to pick a pound of it will take a very long time and it may not even be worth it. You need to keep in mind that to sell it, it needs to be dried, so it takes a ton of roots to make a pound. Not to be a pessimist, but i looked into this pretty hard and thats what i found.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Yeah, it does take the wind out of my sails, but people have made money before.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from VT Outdoorsman wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Yea if you have the time it would be cool to do.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from t_holinka wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

In these tough econimic times I think more people like me will make the time.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Reply

Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation

Enthusiast	Kiteboarding \| QUAD \| SKI \| Skiing \| Scuba Diving \| Sport Diver \| TransWorld Ride BMX \| TransWorld Business \| TransWorld Motocross \| TransWorld SKATEboarding, \| TransWorld SNOWboarding \| TransWorld SURF \| WakeBoarding \| WaterSki \| Warren Miller Entertainment \| WindSurfing
Travel	Caribbean Travel & Life \| Destination Weddings & Honeymoon \| Islands \| Meeting Traveler \| Resorts & Great Hotels
Lifestyle & Shelter	Florida Travel & Life \| Garden Design \| Home Ft. Lauderdale \| Home Miami
Luxury	SNOW \| Spa
Marine	Boating Life \| Cruising World \| Fly Fishing in Salt Waters \| Power Cruising \| Marlin \| Motor Boating \| Sailing World \| Salt Water Sportsman \| Sport Fishing \| Yachting \| NewBoats.com \| UsedBoats.com \| YachtBroker.com
Outdoor	Field & Stream \| Outdoor Life \| SHOT Business
Parenting	Babytalk \| Parenting
Science	Popular Science \| Science Illustrated
Saveur	Saveur
Working Mother Media	Working Mother
Entertainment / Events	World Entertainment Services \| World Sports & Marketing

Fieldandstream.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.

Copyright © 2012 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.