Pictures from our Farm — berries

During the summer, the ginseng plant grows berries which start green and eventually ripen to a beautiful bright red.  During late August to early September, the ginseng berries are harvested by hand so that the seeds can be stratified over the winter for the next planting season.  American ginseng seeds require cold stratification before they are able to germinate.  Cold stratification is the process of exposing the seeds to cold and moist winter conditions.  This softens the seed coating and triggers the seed's embryo to grow.  Since ginseng seeds are typically sold after they have already been stratified, it is important...