Goldenseal can be grown on the same type of site as ginseng, although it can handle a little more direct sun than ginseng. Goldenseal roots can be fertilized and grown quickly without lowering their value. For optimal results, till your soil well and create raised beds amended with a balanced organic fertilizer and enough lime to raise your soil pH to about 6.5. Divide your rootlets into pieces about 1/2 to 1 inch long and plant about 6 to 8 inches apart for fastest harvest. At this rate, 1 pound of rootlets should plant approximately 50 to 70 square feet. Goldenseal is usually harvested 3-4 years after planting. If you plan to wait more than 4 years to harvest, you will want to space your rootlets farther apart when planting. Goldenseal can be dug and divided after 2 years to plant a larger area with less investment. Your plants will produce seeds the first or second year. Goldenseal seeds (berries) must be planted right away or they will lose viability. Seeds often take two years to germinate. Once you have an established bed of goldenseal, you can expand your planting both from seeds and root divisions. Goldenseal is best harvested when the roots fully occupy the planting beds. Some root buyers will also buy goldenseal foliage, which can be harvested annually. If you sell the foliage, harvest it after the berries have matured. This way the plants will have had enough time to store sufficient energy for the year.