Wisconsin Ginseng Season Calendar
Season 2026 to 2027. Last checked November 1, 2026.
Ginseng on our farm in Edgar, Wisconsin follows one cycle a year. Plants come up in spring, flower in midsummer, carry red berries in late summer, and are dug in the fall. We sell fresh roots from September to mid-January, and dried roots all year. This page shows the year month by month, with the dates that matter for the 2026 to 2027 season.
The ginseng year at a glance
| When | In the gardens | What you can order |
|---|---|---|
| Spring to August | Plants that died back in the fall come up again. They flower in midsummer and carry red berries by August. | Dried roots, slices, powder, tea bags, capsules |
| Fall, from September | Harvest. Roots are dug in the fall, and fresh roots go on sale in September. | Fresh roots, plus everything above |
| Winter, to mid-January | The plants have died back. Fresh roots stay on sale while the season's supply lasts. | Fresh roots until mid-January, plus everything above |
| After mid-January | The gardens rest until spring. | Dried roots, slices, powder, tea bags, capsules |
What happens on the farm
Spring to late summer
Ginseng is a perennial. The plants die back each fall and come up again each spring from the root, and they grow under shade cloth that copies the forest floor. A garden spends three, four or five growing seasons in the ground before we dig it. That count is the age on the bag.
Flowers open in midsummer and the berries ripen red in August.
Fall harvest
The dig happens in the fall. We sell the first fresh roots in September. After the dig, we clean and dry roots on our own farm, sort them by age, and pack them. Every bag carries a harvest-lot code that links it to our records.
Winter
Fresh roots stay on sale until mid-January while the season's supply lasts. Dried roots, slices, powder, tea bags and capsules sell all year.
Dates for the 2026 to 2027 season
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| Now to mid-January | Fresh roots are on sale while the season's supply lasts. They ship in an insulated box with cold packs and 1-day delivery, to U.S. addresses only. |
| Wednesday, December 9 | Order by this date for delivery before Christmas to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. |
| Friday, December 11 | Order by this date for delivery before Christmas to other U.S. addresses. |
| Monday, January 25 | Order by this date for delivery before Lunar New Year (February 6, 2027) to U.S. addresses. |
Orders placed after these dates may arrive after the holiday. The dates also appear in the notice on our shipping policy.
The order-by dates for the 2026 to 2027 season have passed. Current shipping dates are on our shipping policy.
Choosing fresh or dried
Fresh roots are firm and crisp, and they keep 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Dried roots keep all year in a sealed bag in a cool, dry cupboard. If you plan to cook with ginseng in the next few weeks and have refrigerator space, order fresh while the season lasts. If you want to use a little at a time through the year, order dried. Our fresh versus dried guide compares the two, and the root age guide explains the 3-year, 4-year and 5-year roots.
Common questions
When is ginseng harvested in Wisconsin?
Cultivated ginseng is dug in the fall, according to the University of Wisconsin. On our farm in Edgar, fresh roots are on sale from September to mid-January. This page covers farm-grown ginseng. We do not buy ginseng roots, from diggers or from anyone else, and we do not sell wild ginseng.
How long does ginseng take to grow?
Our roots spend three, four or five growing seasons in the ground before harvest. We sell each age on its own, as 3-year, 4-year and 5-year roots.
When can I buy fresh ginseng root?
From September to mid-January, while the season's supply lasts. Fresh roots ship to U.S. addresses only, with 1-day delivery in an insulated box with cold packs.
Can I buy ginseng in the spring or summer?
Yes. We dry roots on our farm after the dig, so dried whole roots, slices, powder, tea bags and capsules are available all year. See our whole roots.
How do I keep fresh roots?
Put them in the refrigerator when they arrive and wash them just before you use them. Wrapped loosely in a paper towel in a closed bag, they keep 2 to 3 weeks. Our guide to buying, storing and cooking fresh ginseng has the details.
Do you ship fresh ginseng outside the United States?
No. Fresh roots ship within the United States only. Our other products ship to Canada, Hong Kong and select other countries, and the customer pays any duties and taxes. See the shipping policy.
Sources
- Heil Ginseng product and policy pages: fresh roots, root age guide, shipping policy. Checked November 1, 2026.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Corn Agronomy, Ginseng: roots are dug in the fall, flowers appear in midsummer, plants come up the spring after planting.
- Midwest Farm Report, Your ginseng harvest preview, August 27, 2022: berries ripen in August.
Related: Heil Ginseng facts and history · Fresh versus dried ginseng · Where to buy American ginseng