Little cultivation is needed when propagating from seedlings. Beds should be kept free of weeds and grass, and the soil should be scratched with a light implement whenever it shows signs of caking. Two acres of ginseng can be maintained by one person. A winter mulch over the crowns is essential to prevent frost heaving. Mulch should be spread when frost is imminent and should be removed in the spring before the first shoots appear.
Light mulching to help plants to retain their moisture during dry weather is advisable.
Forest leaves or light brush, held in place with poultry netting, makes the best mulch, while a mixture of shredded poplar bark and poplar sawdust provides the best yields. Cornstalks stripped of husks, bean vines, cowpea hay, and buckwheat straw are also suitable if they do not contain weeds, seeds, or other materials attractive to rodents. Many growers of ginseng oppose excessive fertilizer use, as heavy use of chemical and barnyard fertilizers lessens the resemblance of cultivated ginseng to the wild root variety. Overmanuring also forces growth and lowers the resistance of ginseng to disease attacks. Some growers alleviate this problem by fertilizing with leaves or old sawdust of hardwood trees, or with ground-up, rotted hardwood.