MassGrow...
Be sure that you are buying stratified seed from a reputable dealer.... like wildgrown here...
When you get your seed in check it for proper embryo development, to make sure it is good (before planting). See image below...
Plant good stratified ginseng seed only in locations where you know ginseng to grow (in your area)... for example for me that is a North or slightly North East facing hillside (in the 700-750 ft elevation levels) where I see best sign (wild seng already growing)... or at least very good indicator plants like maiden hair fern growing...
Depending on where you are (north ? south ?) exactly where wild seng grows well may differ some. The more south you are (I am in TN)... you will have best luck on North to North East facing hillsides only... but if you are up in Main, or NY... it may grow well on other facing hillsides too.
These seeds have proper embryo development... if you buy a pound of seed (approx 7000) seeds, split open 20-30 and make sure you have proper embryo development... that is the only way to know for sure you have properly stratified seed... that should sprout if you plant it in the fall, it or most of it will come up the next spring.
Also you will have the best luck with seed, if you order it from someone like wildgrown, and order early in the new seed stock shipping time (right after they pull the seed up from stratification)... and it is fresh and ready for planting... they ship it to you, you get it, and you plant it ASAP.
The longer you try to store it (like in the refrigerator, for a week or two or more) before planting... the more likely it is to be messed up, ruined... and not sprout for you. Get it and plant it asap for best results.
Good Luck
TNHunter