Ginger is a tropical plant that appears to be native to China. However India seems to be foremost in ginger production while China is second followed by other countries such as Thailand, Philippines, Nigeria and others.  Ginger is heat loving and requires a long, warm growing period while benefitting from afternoon dappled sunlight. The rhizomes do not want to be wet for extended periods of time either; moist but well draining soil is key. 

A few years ago I bought some ginger 'seed' from a company here in the states and it's possible they got their supply from Hawaii but I don't remember the details anymore.  What I do remember is the company proclaimed that it was necessary to buy new ginger 'seed' every year because...well geee! ginger isn't supposed to grow here anyway and it certainly won't overwinter with any success.  So guess what I did?  Well you know it or else you wouldn't be reading this article with any sort of anticipation.  :)  

Here's what you need:   several pieces of ginger, 1020 nursery tray with lid, must have a heat mat,  must have grow lights 

Here's what you do:   Where ever you get the ginger root from make sure it is plump and slightly shiny; that is an indication of freshness. (Some suggest that the ginger sold in the grocery store has been treated with some type of anti-sprouting agent...I have no idea if that is true just keep that in mind if you do not have success the first time.)  Now... do this around early MARCH because ginger takes a long time to grow.  I use a 1020 nursery tray with drain holes set on top of a boot tray (you could use the no drain hole type but you will have to be very particular not to overwater). Put the ginger in the bottom of the tray. If you have bigger pieces you can break or cut them into 2 or 3 inch pieces but they will only sprout if you have included at least one swollen node per piece and better with two. The nodes are the visible 'bumps' on ginger like pictured above.  Also if you need to cut a large piece into several pieces wait a day or two after cutting till the cut site dries out...the root makes its own "scab" for protection.  Next fill the tray with  potting soil but NOT garden soil. You want to create a clean environment for this dainty tropical beauty. Put the tray on the heat pad, water the soil and put the humidity dome on for most of the day however I always put it on crooked so it could breath a little so as not to grow mold.  KEEP MOIST BUT NOT WET.  KEEP WARM.  BE PATIENT!!!! This might take 2 or 3 weeks to sprout. Remove cover completely when ginger starts to sprout up.  Keep warm and keep the grow lights on at least 12 hours a day about 6" over the growth raising the light as the plant grows. When all your ginger pieces have sprouted and they 're about 7" tall you can transfer them to a pot.  Plant them  at the same soil level. Ginger will not grow under 50*F so don't set this outside until night time temps are 55* or higher.