Hello mshirley34,
Welcome to the fray!
We have some Tennessee diggers and dealers in here who will be better prepared to advise you on the specifics of digging and selling in that state.
I will point out though, that guality over quantity is rapidly becoming the norm in the wild ginseng world. Roots which are boney (heavy and dense) are basically undesirable. Also long thin roots (pencils) are also not desirable.
Never wash your roots too well, just knock off the loose dirt. Dig and handle them carefully so as not to damage them in anyway. Never sun dry them or put them in a car on a hot day. Ginseng should never be dried at temperatures over 100 degrees. Once drying starts, keep high volumes of airflow, and constant or slightly advancing temperatures from 80-100 degrees. Before drying, it is best to keep your roots in an open paper bag or box in the refridgerator for a couple weeks to a month. This will start the drying process, and will condition the roots for better drying. This normally resulults in corky root (light and less dense, the opposite of boney root).
When digging, look for the larger, more mature roots. I find a good rule of thumb is the thickness of the stem. It doesn't always work, but it is a good indicator. The thicker the stem the thicker the neck and larger the root. Smaller roots are much more valuable growing bigger and producing seed out there in the woods.
And don't forget to keep learning. Ask a lot of questions when you have them, and have fun!
b
