ginseng . nursery

Our personal consumer choices have ecological, social, and spiritual consequences. It is time to re-examine some of our deeply held notions that underlie our lifestyles .         David Suzuki

                       

last . page . last . quote

The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and continents are interconnected. That is our home.   David Suzuki

ziggy's . ginseng . story

Ziggy and Angelika Pyka moved to Tasmania with the specific goal of developing a ginseng farm. With its perfect climate, Ziggy identified Tasmania whilst living in Western Australia as the ideal site for both Korean and American ginseng. Many years were spent clearing, building and experimenting with tree growth and mulching methods for our small but growing ginseng crop. It was done the hard way with little help or advice, as ginseng growing in Australia is a very young industry. They spend many hours of hard labour getting the crop established but it was a labour of love, not just a learning experience.

To grow ginseng commercially, Ziggy knew that if he would be successful he had to simulate the conditions of the herb’s natural environment as best they could. Ginseng grows naturally in heavily wooded regions of Korea, China and North America, where it thrives under the dense canopy of deep-rooted, long-lived deciduous hardwood trees. He planted, chopped down and replanted hundreds of trees in search for the perfect combination. Hollow rooted tress would compete with the ginseng for nutrients, stunt the growth of the plants and make digging hard work. Short-lived trees would ultimately leave gaps in the canopy as they died allowing too much sunlight through the shade-loving ginseng. The best trees are said to be hickory, maples, beech, poplar and walnut, so Ziggy decided on a selection of alder, ash, beech and a few poplars and oaks. Add to that a great deal of shade cloth (to simulate the 80 – 90% shade requirements of ginseng) while the trees are maturing, and lot’s of painful experimenting with different mulches, and the crop of Ginseng in Westbury is finally thriving.

After selling Westbury he started again at the Salmon Farm in Deloraine. This time the whole project was looked at a more commercial farming style. 100’s of trees had been moved but this time more to establish a beautiful landscape. Also the 9 year old roots had been successfully moved to their new home. Now in 2006 Ziggy is establishing new ginseng industry in Tasmania with local farmers.

Ginseng will only be produced and grown under organic principals. Dried organically grown ginseng root are for sale in our shop at the Farm site in Deloraine.

For further information on how to grow and be part of the ginseng farming community in northern Tasmania email                           global. ginseng@bigfoot.com

41 degrees south aquaculture . deloraine . tasmania

phone . fax :(03) 6362 4130          41south@bigfoot.com