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Last Updated on August 30 , 2023
Turmeric . It ’s one of those exotic and mysterious crops that so many gardeners lust after . Most masses are familiar with turmeric as agolden , effective - for - you ground spicein curry , but are n’t sure how it grows – or even what the plant count like ! While it is certainly unique , turmeric is not all that difficult to develop ! With a few adaptations , you may grow turmeric successfully in most clime . We ’ve been arise our own Curcuma longa for eld !
Read along to instruct all about how to grow turmeric . We ’ll talk over where to source Curcuma domestica “ ejaculate ” , idealistic grow conditions , planting instruction , ongoing care , and the most exciting part – how to harvest it ! I ’ll also share some of our favorite way to practice it in the kitchen – like in our deliciousgolden Milk River recipeorhomemade fire cider .
Truth be tell apart , turmeric is easiest to originate in mild to strong climates , since it can be get completely alfresco there . However , folks in cold-blooded climates can also rise their own turmeric – as long as it is in a mobile container .
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How Does Turmeric Grow?
Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) is aperennial herb , closely related to powdered ginger . That said , most all of these raise tips apply to ginger as well ! ( Though ginger can be a little more fussy . )
Turmeric does n’t have typical bantam “ seeds ” that you opine for most plants . or else , pieces of the base system calledrhizomes are institute , which in crook produce above - earth foliation as well as more , big rhizomes in the soil below . Those precious rhizomes are the very thing we after when growing turmeric ! Each seed rhizome is often referred to as a “ finger ” – because when clean turmeric is reap , the cluster of rhizomes around a center node resemble a paw !
Consuming Turmeric & Curcumin
Turmeric powder , nutritional supplements , or other edible extracts are made from the rhizome . It is also used whole , grated or sliced in many cooking applications – and is where most of the plant ’s tang , colour , and nutrient are store . The rhizome also moderate arguably the most important dynamic ingredient in turmeric : Curcumin .
Thousands ofscientific studiesshow that curcumin is one of the most good medicinal herbaceous plant compounds in existence ! With its stronganti - inflammatory and antioxidant properties , curcumin has been prove to reduce inflammation , better memory , preclude and slow Crab development , boost antioxidant activity , baffle blood pressure , and more . It is sincerely phenomenal stuff ! We eat as much turmeric as we can , including takingthese supplementsdaily .
That ’s all okay and dandy , but did you know thatthe leaves are edible too ? ! Yep . The leaves can be added to cup of tea whole , dried and ground into pulverisation , or steeped in water system to make an infused liquid to utilize in preparation . Additionally , fish can be wrapped within Curcuma longa leaves to jest at or grille , similar to the traditional use of banana leaves for this use .
While they are n’t quite as magical as the rootstock , the leave are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants as well ! I do n’t suggest removing too many leave of absence while the flora is growing , as it needs them for photosynthesis . glean some slenderly , or utilise the choice leaves left after harvesting the rootstalk !
Where to Obtain Turmeric Seed
you could source turmeric seed rhizomes a few different ways . If you are able to find organic Curcuma longa in the produce section of your local grocery store , you ’re in luck ! Because you’re able to absolutelysuccessfully grow turmeric from store - bought rhizome ! true statement be tell , this is our preferred room to author Curcuma domestica seed these days ! It ’s just too easy . Do seek outcertified organicrhizomes though . Non - organic green groceries is often treated with substances designed to suppress bourgeon . Natural food store or Asian markets will be most likely to have a bun in the oven turmeric .
If you may not find fresh organic rootstalk locally , or if you need to try growing specific varieties , you may alsoorder turmeric cum rhizomes online . The main source that I am aware of isHawaii Clean Seed . We have ordered turmeric ( and ginger ) come from them many prison term in the past , and were very pleased ! However , their order organization takes a little piloting . You must order as presently as they go on sale ( November 1st ) , because they sell out tight ! There is also a minimal purchase order to practice to , and the seeds are ship in February to March .
Once you are growing your own turmeric , you cansave seedrhizomes from your harvest to replant ! Or , utilize it all and buy more .
Different Turmeric Varieties
The turmeric that you will find sell in stores is almost always the deep orange variety ofCurcuma longa . Here , we usually see it as“Hawaiian Red ” . We have try out with growing a couplet other change as well , includingIndira YellowandWhite Mango . The photo below shows a harvest of all three of those turmeric varieties . We have number to prefer the deep orange colour and sweet relish of the Hawaiian Red , and have been planting less and less of the other two . The yellow is a bit more pungent and spicy , and the white mango savour like to a green , underripe Mangifera indica .
As it turns out , the darker orange diverseness are in reality good for you ! Little did I know when we first began growing Curcuma domestica , how deeply orange the color is a direct denotation of how much curcumin it contains!So while the sensationalistic and white smorgasbord are unequalled and fun to grow , they do n’t wad the same punch in esteem to nutritionary welfare .
TURMERIC GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Climate and Temperature
Turmeric is a tropical plant , native to India . Therefore , it is most happy when it is cater ample sun , moderately fond temperatures , and even water . Many property can put up these circumstance … in the summer , that is !
Yet one of the trickiest theatrical role of growing Curcuma domestica is the fact that is has an extremely foresightful produce time of year . Turmeric requires8 to 10 months of icing - destitute growing , from planting to harvest . It is usually planted in the wintertime , and harvested the following fall to early winter .
Turmeric can be grownoutside year - round in USDA zones 8 and mellow , in the reason or in container . We wish to grow ours in several wine barrels , which allows us to easily control the soil tone and wet level . Inzones 7 and lower , growing Curcuma longa is still possible ! It will simply need to be planted in a fluid container indoors , and bring outside when the conditions warms . Note that if it spud while it is still within , it will need plenteous light or sunlight .
Not sure what originate geographical zone you are in , or when your frost date are?Learn more here !
Planting Location
Turmeric likes the sun , but is a small sore to scorching . It will raise well infull sun to fond wraith , but will profit from some good afternoon shadiness in the live climates(when over 90 degrees).For object lesson , I have look Arizona gardeners utilizeshade clothto protect their turmeric flora in the late summer . Here on the temperate Central Coast of California , we do n’t regain that necessary .
Turmeric will need the most urine while it is actively growing , but not nearly as much before it sprouts . really , the unsprouted rhizome seeds are prone to rotting if they ’re in put up water supply or overly - soggy soil . When plant directly alfresco , it can take many months for turmeric rhizomes to sprout and begin to grow ! Therefore , choose a planting location that hasgood drainage , and where you’re able to easily align the wet they are receive – especially early on . For representative , avoid planting them in a location in the land where you know body of water pools in the springtime .
If you are planting your Curcuma longa in a smaller , mobile container , you’re able to move your container around your garden to idealistic locations as needed ! Similarly , when it is meter to bring the Curcuma longa at heart in late fall ( for climates carry Robert Lee Frost ) , you’re able to prefer a sunny windowpane for it to know near . On the other bridge player , if you are planting your turmeric in the basis , in a provoke garden bed , or in a heavy , less - nomadic container ( like a wine barrel ) keep the above things in judgment to choose the best planting location .
Containers
When you ’re look for for the perfect container to grow Curcuma longa in , do n’t skimp on sizing ! Get something as enceinte as you reasonably can without it being a burden . Or , plan to have several smaller pots . Turmeric does n’t need in particular deep territory though.10 to 12 inchesis adequately deep . Width and surface areais what matters most , if you want a decent amount of Curcuma domestica to harvest ! The rootstock seeds you plant will need several inches of infinite between them to grow well . Thus , narrow containers will limit the amount you may establish .
Like all plants , turmeric will only be glad in a container that has fair to middling drain . significance , the choose mint must have yap ! Maybe a few of them . In improver to wine-colored barrels , we have also grown turmeric inwide fabric Smart Pots – which have superscript drainage ! They will dry out a little more quickly though , so keep that in intellect when you ’re establishing your water routine . bestow drip trays as needed to catch overflow , especially for indoor container .
wine-colored barrels(or whiskey barrels ) do make awesome plantation owner , but normally need a bit of adjustment – to grow any type of harvest in ! They are designed to go for liquid in after all . So to promote drainage , we practise at least 6 to 10 half - inch holes in the bottom of the barrel , line the bottom with a layer of landscape painting fabric ( so the hole ca n’t get clogged ) , then a duo inch of turgid 1 - 2 ” rocks , another bed of landscape fabric on top of the rock ‘n’ roll , and then stain on top of that .
Soil
The idealistic ground for growing turmeric isloose , well - debilitate , detached of big clumps or rocks , and fairly rich in constituent thing . Established raise garden beds likely already have these place , making them a great choice . aboriginal ground soil may require to be sour , untie it to at least a foot deep and amend the area with aged compost . Or , if you ’re fill up a stigma new container just for Curcuma longa , you could customise it with the right stuff from the start ! Turmeric does prefer just slightly acidulent soil , which most bag potting mixing are already .
For a container , combine approximately 70 - 80 % constitutional potting soil ( or similar raised layer / container grime portmanteau word ) with 20 - 30 % well - balancedcompost . Do not use fresh animal manure ! It is too “ hot ” and high-pitched in nitrogen . Choose something that is right maturate . We use either homemade compost from our passive compost galvanic pile , worm castings from ourworm bin , our preferred constitutional bagged compost , or some combining of the three . To promote serious drain , most bagged potting dirt already has pumice or perlite . We sum up a pocket-size amount of 3/8″ volcanic rock as well .
Okay , now that we fuck what turmeric likes and dislike , are you quick to tattle about how to actually plant the hooey ?
HOW TO PLANT AND GROW TURMERIC
Preparing Turmeric Seed for Planting
If you happen to have big bridge player of Curcuma longa on your hands….tehee … or other with child composition , they should bebroken down to create more ejaculate pieces ! Do this at least a few days to a workweek prior to planting , so the cuts have time to scab over and concentrate the chance of rot and disease developing . Use a clean knife to cut the hands or rootstalk at the minute articulation ( where the fingers meet a al-Qaeda , or “ palm ” of the hand ) to create several seeds .
Each cum musical composition should have at least two to three nubs or fingers left behind – because that is what is run to sprout!After newspaper clipping , place the turmeric piece in a location with good airflow to promote drying of the reveal region .
Prior to planting , store turmeric seed in a temperate , dark area . We ordinarily leave ours in partially open cardboard box in a supernumerary room . Another option is to stack away them in a strong , shallow , dull layer of peat moss , coco coir , or light downlike soil like seedling startle admixture – toencourage early sprouting . If you are start your turmeric indoors , this can give you a startle depart on the season!A seedling high temperature matcan also be used to warm the dirt metier if require , during pre - sprouting or after planting in a crapper .
We have n’t found pre - sprouting to be necessary . One yr we did pre - shoot our rhizomes indoors before planting outside , but it did n’t result in any larger or earliest of a crop . In fact , it was one of our least abundant seasons ! It may have just been a coincidence , but it was enough to say us that the try of pre - sprouting is n’t needed in our temperate climate .
How to Plant Turmeric Rhizomes
For common people growing turmeric alone alfresco , it is best to plant rhizomes when the stain is on a regular basis 55 academic degree or warmer , with daytime air temperatures close to 70 ° F . We usually plant our turmeric in March and harvesting in previous December . If you need to start your turmeric indoors , think about when your first surrender frost is , and then count backwards about 10 month ! That means you might be pop your Curcuma domestica indoors as early as December or January .
Plant each germ rootstalk about2 to 4 in mystifying , space at least 4 to 6 inch apart . To invalidate breaking the fingers , I usually cut into a little hole , pop it in , and mildly plow it back over – as oppose to shoving it down into the dirt as I may whenplanting garlic clove . In the planting hole , place the rootstalk with any smallfingers or nubs facing upwards . The sprout will grow from the centre , so this sets them up in the correct orientation from the showtime . piddle to moisten the filth around them .
Starting Turmeric Indoors
For those in USDA zona 7 and downhearted that are starting turmeric indoors , keep those flowerpot inwardly for now ! sunshine is n’t a concern yet , since they have n’t shoot . Therefore , you’re able to keep them in any shelter , warm location in your dwelling . Once they do sprout however , you ’ll want a architectural plan to furnish ample hopeful light – either in a gay window or by usinggrow light .
take the pile outside after your last peril of spring hoar has extend , but keep an eye on the forecast for the next few week ! Again , the rhizomes can not freeze . When you do bring in the containers outdoors , they will take a gradual transition to acclimate to the difference from indoor to outdoor life . This process is calledhardening off , and it is authoritative !
Read more about temper off in this article . In sum-up , plan to bring them out for short durations in a sheltered and louche location for a few days , gradually increasing the time and sun photograph over the period of a week . Do n’t just plop them down in direct red-hot sun decent away ! They will freak out on you .
Patience
After imbed , the hold back game beingness . As I mentioned before , turmeric not only takes a foresightful fourth dimension to develop – but also asurprisingly long time to sprout!If you ’re starting your Curcuma longa indoors , it may shoot quicker than ours . Yet when we constitute rhizomes outdoors in February or March , our first sprout do n’t usually poke through the soil until July , and some as late as August !
Even though I sleep with what to expect , it still stresses me out every yr . I always imagine they ’ve crapped out on us ! strong climates may get earlier sprout , because we do have a really cool spring and early summertime , but at least you ’ve been forewarned . Be patient . Do n’t worry .
ONGOING TURMERIC PLANT CARE
Water
Before the turmeric sprouts above the filth , it does n’t need much in terms of maintenance . allow for occasional urine – as frequently as needed so that the dirt is maintainedmildly dampish , but not soggy . Use your finger to examine a couple inch into the soil to measure the wet level if need . To reiterate , those preciousrhizomes are prone to rotting if they ’re overly wet ! Occasional outflow rain and foggy atmospheric condition means we hardly water our un - sprouted Curcuma domestica at all , until things start to dry out and warm up up .
After the Curcuma domestica has sprouted and is actively growing , uphold to provide urine to achieve that same moist but not soggy grime status . chance are , this will mean watering more frequently than you were before – as it is now summer weather , and the growing works will be drink more water .
As fall to winter readiness in , foreshorten back the water a minute again , particularly if you are receiving rain . When you are one to two weeks away from your chosen harvest particular date , you could intercept water all together . If you are n’t sure , this footstep is n’t required . We have just obtain it well-heeled to gently extirpate the rootstock in semi - dry soil .
Fertilizing Turmeric
While it is actively growing , turmeric is a pretty heavy bird feeder . It will enjoycompost , and a few coating of well - balanced plant food throughout the season . Aged pelletized wimp manure is a democratic pick to fee Curcuma domestica .
To keep our Curcuma domestica glad and levelheaded , we give it a few dissimilar kickshaw throughout the year . Once or twice during the mid to late growing time of year ( summer and fall ) , we top - set the territory around the plant stalk with a light sprinkling ofalfalfa mealandkelp meal , plus a clean 1 to 2 - inch layer of compost , and then irrigate it all in .
Additionally , we provide a couple of balmy smooth fertilizer offerings . One isactively air out compost tea , which we use to water the turmeric with every other month or so – in place of its unremarkable watering . To learn how we make our compost tea , suss out out this tutorial ! During the alternate months , we may water with adilute seaweed infusion solutioninstead . That selection will be easier for folks who do n’t have homemade compost or the equipment to make compost tea .
How to Harvest Turmeric
Turmericleaves will start to turn yellowish - browned and drywhen it is time for harvest . Some of our outermost leaves alter , but others not so much . See the leaf in the crop image below . In gain to leaf show , usetimeas way to determine when to harvest – an norm of 10 calendar month after planting .
Come harvest time , do not just jerk up on the stalks!You’ll risk break-dance your hands that way ! Using a trowel or your hands , gently labor down in a wide-cut normal around the turmeric stalk to loose the territory , take care not to stab and damage the rhizomes . Once the filth is more loose , you’re able to either softly deplumate up on the stalk or trump them out from below . If you meet resistance , you may desire to ditch the container over sideways and gently sieve through the content instead . See the good example below , showing how we tip the wine barrels on to a tarp for easy clean - up .
After harvesting , rinseoff the rootstalk to remove the dirt . Carefully cut the rhizome hand away from the stalk . Also , they will have some odd long ancestor sequester to them , which can be cut off with sporting scissors or snips and composted . Then , allow the skins tothoroughly aviation drybefore putting them by in storage .
felicitation ! You just grew your very own turmeric !
How to Store & Preserve Turmeric
To eat bracing , it is best to expend turmeric within a few weeks of harvest . computer memory dry rhizomes in an airwave - tight container in the refrigerator . If your intention is to replant some of the rootstalk , those can be kept out in a cool , dark emplacement and for a tenacious point – since you ’re hop they ’ll eventually sprout anyway ! I wear you wo n’t want to immediately eat or replant all that you grew , so you ’ll want to consider a couple path topreserveyour turmeric harvest as well .
To conserve Curcuma domestica , we freeze a dowry of our harvest and also desiccate some to crunch intohomemade turmeric powder!To stop dead Curcuma longa , simply freeze down the whole rhizomes in an airtight container and be after to utilize them within a year . The sooner you use them , the more refreshful and bright the tone will be . To apply them , we just kill a rhizome out of the freezer and grate it up as necessitate for meals ! Homegrown turmeric skin is so fresh and tender , we do n’t even bother strip down it .
Using Turmeric in Meals
Dried , novel , frozen , or ferment ! There are so many ways to use turmeric . grating fresh or rooted whole turmeric rhizomes and add it to beans , lentil plant , brown rice , mixed vegetable , eggs , and more – for a curry - same pop . to boot , we lend it to fermentedsauerkraut , fire cyder , and even inkombucha ! Click the data link to see our recipes for each of those .
Use driedturmeric powderin many of the same ways ! Another popular use for turmeric powder is to make golden Milk River . Golden milkis made by mixing your choice of milk ( dairy farm , cocoa palm , Amygdalus communis , or other ) with turmeric powder , cinnamon , a small oil , and most often a instinctive sweetener like love or maple syrup . see to it out our ready andeasy golden milk formula !
If you have n’t had Curcuma longa on its own , keep in mind that it isnot spicylike the classic curry you may imagine . Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry and does have a little sharpness to it , but it is nothing like pre - motley curry powder . Those also let in chili powder and other ingredients .
in conclusion , one important note : To draw the optimal wellness benefits , alwaysadd a sprint of pitch-dark white pepper with your turmeric!Why ? Because black pepper immensely increase the bioavailability and absorption of curcumin . Studiesshow that have ¼ teaspoon of capsicum pepper plant with curcumin increases the bioavailability by 2000 % . Even with just a pinch of pepper , level significantly increase . consume it as a whole food or root ( even dried and ground ) as opposed to curcumin selection , or consume it with fats like oils or coconut milk , also significantly increase bioavailability .
Money may not grow on trees, but good health can grow in soil!
