I bought this as a plant (have 3 total) in the summer 2017..I took the pot in for the winter..it died back and then this pic is from the summer 2018..it's back in my house now and is dying back again..I was hoping you would get comments about starting them from roots..I'd like to try that..I prefer a bark based mix instead of the typical peat heavy mixes..

You can grow from grocery store roots but not ideal....many times these are treated with a growth inhibitor that prevents sprouting. And the sprouting is exactly what needs to happen if you want to grow it as a plant in order to harvest fresh ginger :-) (Turmeric is just a dfferent type of ginger).

When selecting for grocery store roots, you want to look for plump roots with taut skin...no shriveling or softness. And hopefully with several eyes or growth points - even better if they are already green or sprouting. Soak overnight to fully hydrate and to remove as much of whatever hormones or pesticides the roots may have been treated with. There are many sources online that will indicate how to plant and care for these but essentially you want to care for them just as you would any other tropical houseplant - out of drafts, with reasonable warmth and bright but indirect light. Keep moist.

How to grow ginger indoors.

I'm lucky and we have a terrific ginger and turmeric farm locally called Old Friends Farm in Amherst MA. They sell plants in the spring only. I have some of their "young" roots from the local store, and I am going to see what happens if I drop them in some 511 in a bright, non direct light spot in the house.

Good to know about the die back, I am glad I read that and now won't panic when that happens next fall.

Attached is a photo of them soaking. As you can see, lots of fibrous hairs and leaf stems, not your typical grocery store ginger/turmeric.