The Common Spice That'll Help Block Out Weeds When Planted In The Garden

Weeds can feel like an endless battle. No matter how hard you try, they just keep coming back. Even worse are those weeds that attract pests to your yard. But luckily, you don't always need to rely on chemicals to fight your battles. One simple, natural solution is to plant ginger (Zingiber officinale) in your garden. Thanks to its herbicidal properties, which can be used to suppress the growth of unwanted plants, this common spice can revolutionize your garden's health by keeping weeds at bay. Better yet, it also has insecticidal and anti-fungal properties, so you can even use it to deter pests and disease in the garden.

Ginger's ability to suppress weeds comes from a phenomenon known as allelopathy. It is a process through which a plant releases natural compounds into the soil that stop other plants from growing or forming dense patches. Thanks to this property, ginger is used in agricultural settings as an intercrop to keep out weeds. The spreading habit of ginger allows it to make thick clumps, acting as a living mulch, limiting light and space for weed seedlings. 

Ginger's ability to fight weeds comes with a catch. The same allelopathic compounds that inhibit the germination and growth of certain broadleaf weeds can have undesirable effects on beneficial plants as well. Therefore, if you plan to use ginger for weed control in your garden, it is a good idea to start with small test areas. Check how other plants react to ginger before going all in. Also, keep in mind that ginger is only hardy in USDA zones 8 to 12 and thrives in hot and humid conditions. If grown outside these zones, it will not survive winter temperatures. 

To plant ginger in your garden, wait till the danger of frost is over. Place pieces of healthy rhizome 2 to 4 inches deep into the soil and make sure that the growth buds are facing upwards. However, it's best not to rely on ginger alone for weed control. Instead, incorporate it in your garden alongside other plants that grow well with ginger and also help control weeds. One good example of such a plant is the mountain pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens). It grows in similar conditions to ginger and also helps with weed suppression. When used wisely as part of a broader strategy, ginger will help suppress weeds, support soil health, and provide you with the satisfying pleasure of harvesting your own spices.