TOPIC: Will it grow

Have a steep hill side that faces my house the hill side faces southwest there's not many companion plants of ginseng would it be a waste of time to try and plant ginseng on this hillside ? Would the dirt be to poor for it to actually grow a decent root

How thick is the overstory? In TN it sounds unlikely that it will grow well, too much sun exposure.

TN Ginsenger, I would probably have to agree with Ittiz. It could depend on the altitude somewhat, but if your in the lower elevations you will have problems.

Hugh

Overystory I'd say is average not real thin but not real thick either I do know that it grows pretty fair directly on the other side of the hill from dug a pound on that hill side last year but it's a neighbors property and I hate to invest money on somebody else's property and just hope ten years from now I could still dig it

If there is ginseng on the north side of the hill and not on the south I think that would be an indication you might have an issue there. You could always ask your neighbor if he minded if you planted stuff there. Or maybe zoning laws in your town would allow you to buy that part of his property if he was willing to sell?

Yea that's kinda what I was figuring to probably be a waste of time but figured I'd ask and see if there was a chance it would grow

TN.Ginsenger,
I agree North or East face typically. However, I have found many nice patches on Western and Southern slopes in the past. I think it has to do with the canopy density tho like some have mentioned.
I would do a small test plot. You just never know.
I have heard that ginseng does really well up in North Eastern US on the Western and Southern slopes.
Here in Ohio North or East face is best tho.
Good luck,
Latt

Yea same in middle tn if it isn't a north or east facing slope u just about wasting ur time looking

Another good rule of thumb is you need 70 - 80% shade in a good growing area.