The following information refers mainly to Panax ginseng, the Chinese ginseng, but applies also to the American ginseng, P. quinquefolium.

Seeds need to be stratified. After collecting the fruit in autumn, dig a hole in a well-drained, shady area about 30cm deep and 1 metre wide. Line the sides and bottom with rocks or bricks. Line the bottom with 2cm sand, then 2cm of seeds, then another layer of sand. Repeat layers as required, ending with sand, and cover the whole with a sheet of plywood. Leave for up to 18 months, but at least 90 days, keeping them cold and moist. Plant seeds or roots in autumn or winter. Plant them about 5-10mm deep, and cover with leaf mulch about 2cm thick. Do not allow the seeds to dry out. Plants must be shaded at all times. Germination may take a year or more. Plant produces seed when the plant has grown 2 prongs (or leaves), at about 3-4 years. The plant will add a third prong when 5-9 years old. Grows best in cool, shaded hardwood forests. The plant lies dormant for some years and does not grow new tops every year. One-year-old plants have 3 leaflets, resembling a strawberry plant. In the second year, it usually has 5 leaflets, and in the following years it begins to branch out with 2, 3 or 4 prongs with 3-5 leaflets in each prong. Prefers a soil with pH 5.0-6.5.

Harvesting: Harvest the root in autumn when the above-ground parts die back. when the plant is at least 4 years old, and preferably when 5-9 years old. Wash as soon as possible, but do not scrub. Use it when it has dried thoroughly, after about a month. Dry in shade, turning frequently, until they just start to snap when you bend them, usually after about a month. Seeds may be kept in damp sand for 1 year and used for replanting. If using the roots for tinctures or extracts, use the roots fresh. Use dried roots for pills and powders.

Blue Cohosh likes similar conditions - about 75% shade.

Oh, I'm excited now! I doubt we would even try to harvest Ginseng if we can get it to grow, but it would be a great tribute to our GGGrandmother just to have it living there, where we like to hang out! I think I can buy American Ginseng root stock at our local Lowes. I've seen it with other woodland plants like Trilium and Jack in the Pulpit. I think it's kind of pricey, but payday is not to far away! Thanks for the info, Daisy.