Emerald Castle Farms

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolious), Seeds, Rootlets, Planting and Growing Information










Welcome to

Emerald Castle Farms





Thank you all for a good season.
We are sold out of seed for the year.


We intend to open again for the 2024 season come late next spring/early summer as supplies are expected to be somewhat limited for next year.








I've noticed a lot more of the unethical dealers are making pushes to sell 'ginseng' seed to be delivered in the spring. Don't be fooled folks! There is a huge difference in ordering seed early (even this early in April) for fall delivery, and ordering and receiving seed before fall. Mind you, there are some reputable dealers who have left over seed from fall, and it is good, viable seed. But you don't find those folks on amazon and ebay most of the time and you won't see them running from facebook page to facebook page trying to unload what they got stuck with.

So, if you see an ad for roots or a small amount of seed, and the seller is telling you "ready to plant" ...well....as a dealer in the business for over 20 years I'd advise you to be very careful. There is a reason why knowledgable ginseng growers do not plant until fall. There is also a reason they don't take seed out of stratification until then. And, responsible dealers won't sell you rootlets out of season when the chance of survival is slim without clearly expressing this fact to you.

If you need a large amount of seed (including commercial quantities) get in touch with me via phone or email for a quote.



Stratified Ginseng Seed for 2023



The 2023 planting season will be here very soon. The reports I've heard for the past few springs continue to be very encouraging! Here is what a couple of the emails and texts I've received:

“These pictures are of the plants I got from you a few years ago. They’re doing great! They were six years old when I got them from you –that was three years ago I believe.”
~ Ohio Grower

“So, my seng is sprouting that I got from you last fall. I got a few pounds from you and I spread them out over seven different plots, all of them have sprung up! Excellent!!! This is very exciting! I was so excited to see all those sprouts come up this year!”
~ Illinois Grower

"I just wanted to relay good news on last years planting. I’ve not yet seen anything like what I’m seeing this year! I have large patches of nearly 100% germination. About a third of the total area is like carpet, and the remainder is decent! I did choose a more sloped terrain than previous right above my creek, but, same results in my test beds -vigorous & plentiful. Very pleased!"
~ Ohio Grower

"Hi Brad, when will you have seeds available for this year's fall planting? I purchased seeds last fall and got about a 70-80% germination rate. Without a doubt the best I've ever had."
~ Ohio Grower

Here is part of a Facebook conversation I saw about the middle of May this year:



Take the man seriously folks! Order early so you don't get caught short like so many folks last fall. Seriously, I don't say this just to get folks to buy more seed.

Now, it is time to secure the seed you need for this fall's planting. The wholesale price has risen slightly, but I've arranged a supply of seed for my customers. The biggest increase in cost this year is going to be shipping unfortunately. Cut off date for advanced orders and large orders (to ensure availability) is August 21, 2023.

As always, first come -first served, and we anticipate early September delivery.

Don't wait until the last minute and get caught short without high quality stratified ginseng seed. Order now!

Seed (Buy Now single items)

Shoppiing page (Shopping Cart style ordering)






ECF Seeder

For a limited time, buy a Seeder and Seed together and save $50!

New! The funnels I have used for years on this seeder have only one manufacturer. And they started manufacturing them in Mexico. So, we are now making the funnels in house with heavier guage American steel. This makes the ECF seeder now 100% made in America, by an American small business, with ALL American steel (not imported plastic).

I designed the ECF Seeder for my own use around 2000 -I've been making them available to other growers ever since. As we move forward, we learn more about this wonderful plant -we also continue to grow older ourselves. Getting down on the ground or raking a hillside isn't as easy as it used to be. With this tool, neither is necessary. If you have problems with turkeys eating the seed from your rake and scatter patches...this indispensable tool will help. We've also learned that excessively disturbing the soil (rake and scatter planting or excessive harvesting) may contribute to disease issues and ultimately replant failure (meaning you can't plant ginseng in that same ground again). We have finally produced a video of the ECF Seeder in action with the results from the following spring! You can see the video at the bottom of the ECF Seeder page on this site. Just click the button below to head over to the seeder page. Remember, I make these by hand so you need to get your orders in early if you want to use them for this fall's planting.

ECF Seeder page






Join us on Facebook!

Click here to visit the Growing Ginseng: A Beginner's Group page.
The purpose of this group is to educate and encourage ginseng growers. To become a place for questions and honest, reasonable, and logical answers. Experienced growers are of course welcome and encouraged to share their experiences or ask questions as well. The new grower can learn much by reading these discussions. When you request to join, be sure to answer the membership questions.