Some of the mulch can be removed in the spring before the first shoots appear. Set seedlings 8 in. Closer spacing tends to increase disease in the plantation. Over-manuring may also force growth and lower disease resistance. Although little research in ginseng fertility has been conducted, common practice has been to fertilize as for other root crops.
Some growers fertilize with leaves or old hardwood sawdust or with ground-up rotted hardwood.
Others prefer woodland soil or rotted leaves 4 to 6 in. Fertilizers should be applied during the dormant season at least a couple of weeks before plants emerge. Plants from the northern part of the country, particularly Wisconsin and New York, are considered good breeding stock, because they furnish roots of good size, weight and shape. Weeds can be controlled mechanically with mulching and hand weeding and chemically with Fusilade 2000. See Table 1 for instructions on herbicide use.