From Chan:

Start ginger with organic rhizomes because treated rhizomes are not good to start with. When choosing rhizomes, pick the ones that are plump and healthy looking. You could keep it in the dark for 6 to 8 weeks till the rhizomes begin to produce the “eyes”; that's when they should be ready to go into the soil. A raised bed is very good for ginger.

Ginger grows well next to turmeric and galangal. Ginger like loose soil and enjoys a location that has part sun and part shade. Ginger is heavy feeder (compost is what I use), loves moisture but does not love sitting in water, which will create rot. I am in kauai where there is lot of rain so i barely water it. But in California, you should water at least 3 times a week. When the leaves begin to yellow and are wilting, it is time to harvest; that's typically around when the ginger is 10 to 12 months old.

I also love younger ginger, so I sometimes harvest some at around 8 to 9 months.