Turmeric, a popular spice, can be grown in your own backyard with the right knowledge and care. It is an ideal plant for tropical gardens and can be grown as a perennial in US hardiness zones 8-11. Turmeric plants need a well-drained soil enriched with organic matter and should receive at least 3 hours of full sun each day. Choose a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, and plant them in an equal mix of potting soil and rich compost in 3 or 5-gallon nursery pots, one rhizome per pot.
To grow turmeric, you need to ensure the soil is consistently 55 degrees or higher and the air temperature around 70 degrees. To do this, slice a turmeric tuber into tiny buds and place each slice in moist, pH-neutral potting soil. Curcuma grows and flowers best in warm, humid growing conditions with ample rainfall. Plants go dormant in cool, dry weather, and the foliage is golden and spicy.
To harvest turmeric, start by carefully slicing a turmeric tuber to allocate one eye per slice and placing each slice in moist, pH-neutral potting soil. The process can take place in a large plastic bag to encourage humidity and growth. With the right knowledge and care, you can enjoy the taste and health benefits of having fresh turmeric in your own backyard.
📹 5 Tips How to Grow a Ton of Turmeric in Just 3 Square Feet Garden Bed
This video shows my five most important tips on how to grow a lot of turmeric in just a small space either in a container or a tiny …
Is turmeric flower lucky?
Turmeric, a Hindu symbol of fertility, prosperity, and good fortune, is frequently utilized in weddings and other special occasions. The dye derived from this plant, particularly the shades of yellow and orange, is a popular element in the celebration of Holi, a festival where individuals engage in the practice of covering themselves with bright dyes. The powdered form of turmeric has a distinctive flavor profile, characterized by a warm, bitter taste and an earthy, mustard-like aroma.
Why is my turmeric not flowering?
Curcuma flowers bloom from summer to fall, producing vibrant cone-like bracts in pink, purple, and white. To ensure a longer bloom season, maintain moist, well-draining soil. Dry soil can cause plants to go dormant, and dividing them too small can delay blooming by a year. If flower spikes aren’t appearing well into summer, fertilize. Curcuma is a heavy feeder, so consider fertilizing if not seeing spikes.
Common problems with curcuma include fungi and disease when water balance isn’t maintained. Dry, crunchy tips indicate too much sun or under-watering. To maintain consistent moisture, increase watering or relocate the plant to a location that protects it from afternoon sun.
How long does it take for turmeric to bloom?
Turmeric, a plant known for its bitter, ginger-like flavor, is harvested for its turmeric powder. To grow it, you need to plant a rhizome, an immature root, and water it regularly. The process can be done indoors and doesn’t require sunlight. This guide provides information on planting, caring for, harvesting, storing, grinding, and storing turmeric, as well as an expert interview with Jovace Nelson. The guide also includes tips and warnings for growing turmeric at home, as well as an interview with Landscaping Expert Jovace Nelson.
Does turmeric need full sun?
Turmeric thrives in full sun, mild temperatures, and a humid atmosphere, with an optimal temperature range of 20-30°C (68-86°F). It requires afternoon shade and more water when temperatures rise above 90°C. To grow in cooler climates, move indoors in early spring and late fall. Turmeric can tolerate wetness, but a loose, well-draining soil is essential. Work and loosen clay soil to allow plants to spread underground. Add aged compost to lighten the soil, and improve drainage with perlite. A good potting mix is suitable for pots.
Can you grow turmeric from a piece of turmeric?
Turmeric is winter-hardy to USDA Zones 8-11 and prefers hot summers and high humidity. Rhizomes can be purchased from garden supply stores or grocery stores. Before planting, cut rhizomes into pieces 1-3″ long with multiple healthy-appearing “buds” and let them dry for a day or two. Plant with a bud pointing upwards, about 2-4″ deep. This perennial plant will go dormant in winter and requires full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, and medium water. Plant rhizomes in early spring and can propagate by division.
How rare is turmeric flower?
Turmeric flowers, part of the Curcuma genus, are rare blooms found on the turmeric plant, belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. They grow between fleshy, layered bracts in the center of the plant and are low to the ground, often camouflaged or hidden between the elongated leaves. Turmeric plants are cultivated worldwide but are challenging to find in markets as a culinary ingredient due to their short shelf life and dependence on their growing environment. The most popular species used for culinary purposes is Curcuma longa.
Turmeric flowers have not been studied for their nutritional properties, but they may be a source of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. They contain curcumin, a compound with antioxidant-like and anti-inflammatory properties. In natural medicines of Southeast Asia, turmeric flowers are consumed after childbirth to heal the mother’s body and are believed to be an anti-aging ingredient.
Turmeric flowers have a vegetal, subtly sweet, and lightly peppery flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. They can be washed, incorporated into salads, sprinkled over cooked dishes, chopped into side dishes, chutney, or served with soups, dips, or fresh herbs. In Malaysia and Indonesia, turmeric flowers are known as Bunga Kunyit and are traditionally consumed in ulam, a type of salad. They can also be lightly sauteed with vegetables, simmered into curries, or steamed to develop a soft, savory-sweet texture. They pair well with aromatics such as onions, shallots, garlic, red chile peppers, mango, coconut paste, spices, long beans, bean sprouts, and peanuts.
Do you soak turmeric before planting?
The rhizomes of turmeric, which are plump, smooth, and fresh, do not require soaking. However, if the rhizomes appear desiccated, it is advisable to soak them in tepid water for a period of 24 hours prior to planting. Turmeric seeds, or mother rhizomes, are produced from the rhizome, which develops new sprouts. All components of the turmeric plant, including the roots, leaves, and flowers, are edible.
Does turmeric come back every year?
Turmeric can be harvested in the fall or early winter after the foliage starts to yellow and fade. Dig out some rhizomes and leave at least a portion in the ground for it to regrow next spring. Unpeeled fresh turmeric can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or frozen or dried to grind into a powder. Growing turmeric indoors is recommended below zone 8, as it allows easy movement outdoors for summer and back indoors for winter.
Fill a container or grow bag with slightly damp, well-draining potting mix, soak rhizomes in tepid water for 24 hours, cut large rhizomes into 1- to 3-inch pieces, and plant one piece in each container.
Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees, mist daily until sprouts emerge, and water the pot daily. Once the outdoor temperature remains above 70 degrees during the day and does not drop below 50 degrees at night, move the pot outdoors and place it in a sunny spot sheltered from high winds.
Does turmeric need a lot of water?
The irrigation requirements for turmeric are significant, with a water consumption of 6, 000 to 6, 900 cubic meters per hectare over a 220-day growth period. This irrigation strategy, coupled with precision farming techniques, has the potential to achieve high yields of up to 13. 5 tons per hectare of dry turmeric. This method requires a mere 6, 000 to 6, 900 m³ of water, a mere fraction of the 10, 000+ m³ consumed by conventional irrigation systems and the 6. 0 produced by those systems. The yield of dry turmeric is approximately 3 t/ha.
Is turmeric hard to grow?
Turmeric, a tropical plant in the ginger family, is easy to grow in a sunny spot with a large pot or planter. It grows tall, produces large green leaves, and produces greenish-white and occasionally pink flowers. Turmeric thrives in warm, humid conditions and well-drained, neutral soil. In most parts of the U. S., it should be planted indoors in late winter. Depending on your indoor and outdoor space, you can keep it indoors all summer or move it outside once frost is past and the weather is warm enough to plant pepper and eggplant seedlings.
If you live in Zones 8-11, you can grow it completely outdoors. Turmeric takes seven to 10 months from planting to harvest. To determine when to plant, count back 10 months from when you usually get your first frost in the fall. If your growing season is longer or you have a large and sunny indoor space, planting in late winter through spring is likely to yield the best results.
How do you grow turmeric flowers?
To propagate rhizomes, fill a container with slightly damp, well-draining potting mix and soak them in tepid water for 24 hours. Cut large rhizomes into pieces with at least two to three buds and plant one piece in each container. Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees, mist daily until sprouts emerge, and water enough to prevent soil drying out. Once the outdoor temperature remains above 70 degrees during the day and not below 50 degrees at night, move the pot outdoors and place it in a sunny spot sheltered from high winds. Increase watering as potted plants dry out faster outdoors. If you notice brown leaves, prune them out using a clean cutting tool. Turmeric can be propagated by division while the plant is dormant.
📹 FREE How To Grow Ginger & Turmeric from SKIN, EAT it TOO Growing LOTS in Containers or Raised Garden
Easy to container garden and grow each year. Growing big Crop of Ginger Rhizome & Root. Easy to grow in a container. Organic …
I have finally, after months and months of looking, I have finally found and acquired some turmeric root. I’ve been growing some ginger for months now, and now I can finally plant some turmeric! Gosh thanks for all the wonderful and beyond helpful info Mark! I would NOT be as good as a farmer as I am if it wasn’t for your help
I think what I love best about your articles is you constantly plant companion plants together. Or just have herbs with your tomatoes and using small spaces to grow multiple types. Whereas many other garden articles do huge long rows of the same veggie. Just makes more sense making things a bit more loose and companion like.
Hey Mark, just harvested my first crop of garlic and am very impressed. The plant was very beautiful and gave my garden a real tropical feel. I received lots of compliments and folk were astonished to hear that it was Turmeric. I was going to grow chilies in the same position next and try the Turmeric in another location. Cheers!
I live in the US, in area of Minnesota which can go to -45 F or -42.78 C. I grow mine in a pot, that I keep indoors all year long. It grows very well and I don’t water it often to prevent it from dying of over watering. It gets larger every year. I had to buy it the first piece online, because where I live it’s not sold. Almost forgot, I keep in a room that gets a lot of sun year round.
One thing that I’v found from farming is adding charcoal to the garden bed. One square inch of biochar has a surface area equivalent to that of a football field. It is excellent for storage and available nutrition and helps store carbon in the soil. Traditionally garbage was burnt and buried and those areas became more fertile and so became the garden bed areas. A combination of biochar and compost can help improve any garden in my opinion.
I love perusal you’re gardening show. I’ve been growing Tumeric for a while now. Last year, I remembered a trick my Dad used for storage. I have found storing it in the fridge it will eventually dry out. So my Dad used to get a bucket of sand from the beach. Wash it and let it dry completely. I now use this method to store all my Ginger, Garlic and Tumeric. It stays as fresh as the day you picked it. 🙂
Your articles always remind me of Late Steve ErvIn, the famous Crocodile guy. You are as enthusiastic Gardner as Steve was a wild life lover. I tried many of your ideas and it helped me alot. I am not as self sufficient as you are but one thing is sure, I may be the most self sufficient in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thanks a million.
Oh my goodness! I didn’t realize how BEAUTIFUL the actual plant is. It’s stunning!!! I’m definitely going to try and grow it next year. I have serious health issues that cause extreme inflammation and use turmeric powder. I really want to save money and grow my own. Now I’m even more excited to do it seeing your beautiful plants. Turmeric, ginger, honey and a dash of fresh cracked black pepper makes a nice tea and really helps! Many thanks from Ohio, USA! ~Lisa
I use all organic turmeric powder, black pepper, ginger powder, ground cinnamon and cloves made into a paste with filtered water & coconut oil in a pan on the stove. Stir constantly. Let cool. Put in mason jar in fridge. For tea, heaping spoon in a cup, pour near boiling water over, stir till dissolved. Add honey and coconut milk to taste. Creamy soothing taste. And good for you!!! — Want to grow my own. Thanks for gardening tips. 🤓
I keep looking for a crock in the yard lol !! I use course sand and till it into my clay soil along with a mulch from our local saw mill in early spring. Makes a huge difference, also I have peach trees on the West side of the garden to keep the plants from baking all day in the sun. My railroad ties stacked around the garden helps keep out pest, knocks down the wind, and keeps the sun out on the West side. I bury my left over veggies about a foot down, this really brings on the red worms. Which enriches the soil. Often I use cut firewood logs along the south side of my garden rows to keep the sun from overheating and drying out the soil. Happy gardening and lets grow.
Hello from Germany! Your articles have been a real inspiration for me for a while now, and as we will get our house back from our tenants today (we need to renovate for some years, though, first), which has a huge garden, I will try out some of your articles in the future! It will be great to be self-sufficient on some veggies and fruits and herbs in the future.
Wow! Great article! Thank you for the good advice! So I have one single turmeric root. It’s very expensive to get it at the store where I live and I can’t afford it. So I planted my little root in a ceramic pot. We have great soil here and I am pretty good with gardening so I am praying and hoping for the best. Turmeric is so good. I also will attempt to grow ginger too. Stay safe and healthy everyone! 🌞🙏🏼🌸☮️
Excellent presentation as always M8! My interest in Turmeric is of a medicinal nature – and much of its benefit there is argued back and forth depending on who we hear from, but it seems to be a standard agreement amongst those seeking to cure and/or prevent GOUT (the worst nightmare of all Scottish Lairds I expect) that Turmeric Curcumin is right up there with pure unsweetened cherry juice as one of the most effective cures besides gulping down buckets full of plain water to undo any dehydration – which is the main cause of Gout alongside of eating or drinking the wrong things. Regardless what medical professionals might say it has a track record with people who have actually experienced Gout, and as with spices I cannot help but think that the raw, pure root straight out of the garden has got to be a lot better and stronger than anything available at a store. Definitely better and stronger than anything we might find (and pay a ton for) in capsule form from some silly supplement center… ~Cheers!
In my country the farmer will harvest when the colour changes into deep orange, i see you harvest when it’s still pale, actually harvest when its colour turn orange will reduce the amount of consumption because it condensed more flavour and less of bitter taste, also it has more beautiful colour, maybe it’s just a story from my country it would be nice if you’ll have a try, happy gardening!:)
I didn’t know how beautiful and lush the plant is. Gorgeous flowers, like some ornamental gingers. We grow ginger in our greenhouse, and it lives over winter. Our winter is long and cold (often negative 20F), but the greenhouse does not freeze. I’m going to try turmeric, even though it’s tropical. Some tender plants don’t overwinter, even in there. Mango started, but didn’t make it. Others do… we grow and harvest lemons, have three+ year old tomatoes and herbs, and recently got a banana corm that is growing well, so we’ll see how that does. Great articles. I love that you grow organically. …I just subscribed to your website.
Im about to harvest and move my big patch for the first time since i planted it four years ago, as well as my ginger patch and start again… Can you tell me is it ok to plant ginger and tumeric together in the same raised bed alongside each other? Love your website I found it a few months back and theres loads that relate to me here in the Northern Territory!
You are the man!!! As the young ‘uns say…..Thanks for the very, very useful lessons of life with your growing tips. You really do them well and your lessons are more useful to humanity than many a politically funded health care institution can provide. I got to your article quite by chance and watched two of them….ginger and turmeric. Could you please also include what you can plant. Would another piece if ginger bought in the supermarket do; or do you need to buy the growing ginger rhysomes from a nursery ? Thanks a ton of your many “grow a ton productions “
Hi Mark, I am a horticulture, agriculture and business management student from the Netherlands. I am currently researching turmeric for horticulture here. I really appreciate the information you shared in this article. You can imagine in a high-tech greenhouse the conditions are much different than the real setting you’re dealing with. Because of that I have a question I was hoping you could help me with. So far, the plants are growing great. The issue we’re facing is getting the plant in the generative stage. Is this triggered by cool weather or the lack of water? What is your experience with that? Thanks in advance! Tristan
Fantastico! Thank you for a clear, concise presentation. Can’t wait to start planting. I use turmeric as an anti inflammatory ingredient to my morning emulsified healthy drink along with kale, beet leaves and plenty of blueberries. I liquified the whole concoction with a pomegranate or tart cherry juice. Yummy! An anti inflammatory balm for my whole body. What a treat. Try it!
I’m in FL and I love growing it! My question is… When you harvest your turmeric, the original seed rhizomes that were planted are still present. They are deeper in orange color and sometimes softer. Are they more potent? Can they be eaten? if you live in a climate that allows for turmeric to be left in the ground, is 2 year old turmeric stronger?
After a bit of searching I found some fresh organic turmeric at the Adelaide central markets yesterday. bought a good size pot today and will be planting it tomorrow. will be looking forward to seeing how well it goes and harvesting it once it matures. thank you for your article on how to grow it 🙂 the ginger I planted about 3 weeks ago has finally shown itself and is looking good too.
Very informative and well presented article. Thank you. Just what I was looking for in planting, propagation and storage for next season. I planted some turmeric last spring after being told it was galangal. Anyway, I look forward to my first crop very soon. The leaves are dying back slowly about 3/4 brown now.
Thanks for this article. Wow! I never imagined how you can grow so much tumeric! I’ve read that Tumeric has a lot of great health benefits. I live in a city and in a high rise, so no yard but you’ve encouraged me to plant maybe in a pot in my apartment. Tumeric from Hawaii sells in the store (organic) for $20 a pound in Minnesota. I could save a lot of money growing my own. For some reason once (supply and demand I suppose) it went up to about $40 a pound! I use it in my juicer. I can feel the difference with energy in my organic juices that I make. Thanks for sharing this!
Very nice, In india we consume turmeric on every day basis in food.. Add 1/2 tea spoon turmeric to a cup of milk and also add tea spoon of honey and heat the milk and drink, it will keep you healthy. Also we apply turmeric paste on to skin for an hour and clean it. Your skin will become smooth and glow….
I was glad to find your article. I’m not really familiar with tumeric but while out shopping today I saw some small containers of roots next to the ginger and bought a container to try planting some. The roots aren’t really large but looked fresh and healthy so I wanted to find out a bit more. Looks like you covered it all so now I’ve got to get out and do some planting. I’ve already planted some sun chokes this season and they’re already beginning to sprout. Haven’t ever tried them before but I’m at that age where most foods are beginning to get boring so I’m trying new vegetables that I’m not used to growing and eating. I’ve been unable to find any large metal rings like you’re using to grow in so I bought some sheets of corrugated tin and cut them into two foot pieces. Pop riveted them together vertically and ended up with four foot wide rings by two foot tall. A little flimsy yet but after staking and filling with soil I imagine they’ll be sturdy enough to grow vegetables in for years. Really enjoying your articles.
hi, thanks for the article. I am a new fan =) anyway I planted turmeric last year but for some reason the leaves were turning yellow and dry in less than 2 months. Any thoughts on this? It just started growing again and looks beautiful but I am hoping it wont turn yellow again. Also, how long does it take from planting to harvesting?
Hello Mike! Loved your article btw. I have a question about my turmeric that I planted two months ago – I have it in a large potting container to give it room to grow. The rhizome is about two fingers wide and two fingers long. I’ve given it lots of fertilizer, lots of mulch made from wood and straw, and I always make sure the soil is moist. Two months later, it has only about two tiny roots and a growing eye. I planted three ginger rhizomes the same time as I planted it and they already have shoots and are growing nicely (and they are growing in a retired turtle pond). Does turmeric take longer than ginger to grow or have I done something wrong?
Lord knows, how much I appreciate you and your knowledgeable articles! You are a life saver. I’ve watched other articles on gardening….but compared to yours……those others truly SUCK! I only follow your advice. I listened to a different grower, last year, and it was a colossal failure. So, thank you, and God bless you!
Very beautifully done article. Your garden is really impressive. Let me share some of my tips from India related to turmeric : 1. After harvesting turmeric we steam the turmeric and then is spreaded in “shade” to dry. Later it’s powdered. Direct sunlight reduces the curcumin (the actual medicinal quality) percentage thereby stealing all your hard work. 2. Turmeric leaves are also useful. We make steamed rice cakes by placing the batter in between the leaves of turmeric and then keeping it in the steamer. And share it with your neighbors as everyone will be aware of what you are cooking 😉
Watching October 2020 after perusal your ginger growing article. I had no idea I could grow turmeric, I thought it was very exclusively grown in Asia. I am in Virginia U.S.A, I will be attempting to grow both ginger and turmeric in large pots or raised beds, probably one then the other, until I can establish raised beds. Thank you for this great content.
Am from Southern India and we use the turmeric leaves too. We make rice paste (we add salt, turmeric powder, sometimes a bit of spices if we need it spicy or we add a mixture of coconut and jaggery on top of the rice paste and cover the turmeric leaf) and smear it on the turmeric leaves and close the leaf and then steam them. We eat the rice patties that are steamed (with gravy or coconut chutney) and dispose of the leaves.
Why oh why did I watch this. Now I miss my log cabin in the woods, even more, gardens, the cow, chickens, and ducks, on and on. Maple syrup in the spring time. Life goes on the Philippines, and there is NO winter cold to contend with. Ok now Jack, you need to continue to adapt, that’s the ticket. Great article SSM man.
The young turmeric leaves taste so nice when mixed in curry, you just need to chop it thinly. Also, the flower can be eaten as salad. So, almost every part of turmeric is useful. I started to grow my own turmeric this year. It grows so well, when it’s about half a meter tall I decided to transfer it to a bigger pot. Then, the leaves started to turn yellow 🙁 I hope it is just trying to acclimatize to the new soil…
John 14 (KJV) – ዮሃንስ 6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7: If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.John 3 (KJV) – ዮሃንስ 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.Romans 10 (KJV) – ሮሜ 8: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I could not bet turmeric at bunnies – so i got one at coles and put it in the pot I am starting to grow ginger – it has taken some time – but it has a small start to it – here is hoping. I HAVE FOUND THIS VERY USEFUL I now have to find a pots for the 3 gingers that are about a meter high pots for themselves and on for the turmeric – large long pots – i know they was large plants but i did not really think the ginger would grow – let a lone the turmeric. I love that they have. I have started to get back into growing – from farm to town – with a garden – but renting they owners do not like you having gardens – and more so if you take some of the plants you have put in with you. So moving to brisbane (australia) I have not be able to have gardens. Pots and i do not get on. I have start to make friends with pots – the last for months. Finding your youtube website was one of the best sites on youtube. thank you
I am trying to grow turmeric I bought from the shop but so far didnt grow the leaf maybe I didnt put deeper enough. the reason I want to grow it to take the leaf for making Indonesian curry. btw your tumeric is not dark yellow color, I love the dark one for cooking. is expensive turmeric in America. anyway thanks for sharing Mark.
Hey Mark, Chanced upon your site and absolutely loved your style. I have been contemplating forever to come and settle in NSW/QLD from frigid Canada. Your website might have rekindled the urge. Next time I come to visit my Cousin in Murwillumbah (near Coolangatta) I might look you up and visit. Cheers Mate, stay safe and active. Keep Spreading the gospel of green shoots 🙂
Probably watched 30 or 40 articles on how to grow turmeric one crucial bit of information that was missing you call that dieback where the plant starts to regress back into the ground is that what you said I just got to watch the article again yeah out of all the articles I watched this is the one that was spot-on cheers
Bless Your precious beautiful heart!!! I LOVE you, Sweet darlin Angel!!! How very sweet and lovely you are!!! Very delightful energy exuding from your Spirit!!! Thank you Kindly for your sweet presentation!!! What a great gift it is!!! I sure do wish I could find fresh turmeric!!! It doesn’t exist anywhere in this part of Missouri!!! I have searched everywhere possible!!! Not even health food stores!!! They keep us kind of bogged down,etc etc here in this part of the world for some reason!!! But, WOW!!!! I am AMAZED at your garden!!! Especially your turmeric!!!! I have wanting to be able to grow it for solo loooong…yet, I can’t seem to find any to even begin to do that!!! It would be tremendously amazing if you would sell it, dear sir😊 I would be endlessly forever grateful!!! Along with the beautiful energy from you that is all a big part of it, as well!!! Wow!! I just thought, I will put my email on here if you decide you will sell some of your beautiful turmeric to me, ok? [email protected] …….May You Be Blessed Beyond All Your Hopes😇 Magical Christmas To You!!! 😊 Ginger💕
Hi Marc, I read that you can eat the flowers, but are the leave and stalks eatable? I’m at the age where I need to eat to stay alive and healthy because I spent a career as a welder and mechanic. I unknowingly put a lot of bad things into my body that could cause harm to me in my time of life when my wife and I should be having fun in retirement. By the way my friend, I am having a great time learning and putting to use all of your tips into my garden here in the States. You are one of my favorite professors at this University! Thank you very much for sharing…
Nice work! I have a question about growing turmeric and ginger. I have ginger growing in a pot. A few months ago it started to die back so I cut off all the green and repotted it. It’s been sitting like that with no new growth? Now my turmeric is taking off (potted) and I’m wondering how to take care of it? How do you recreate the dormant seasons for both these plants when they are being grown indoors? Did i ruin my ginger by cutting it back?
Busy year trying to keep up with work at hand, and the dangers of the field. Not able to quite as much, but sure split and cut mucho firewood from those overgrown, rank stands hoping to experience a little release, without those stand-replacing fires. Keeps you hoping for the inflammatories, circulation-builders, and good natural eating for us achy, sore, and a little stressed out folks who want to have a nice Tumeric-drink before trying to hit the sack. Sure is an excellent elixir for me and my companeros!
thanks for tip mate. very helpful tips. I got a turmeric plant for more than a year now. I did not kill the whole plant, and just harvested portion of it. Is that ok? The plant is keeps growing which is really awesome. But Should I have harvested all? I worried that the Rhizome will be harder to harvest or be eaten.
How long can you leave turmeric growing in the ground? I planted some 3 years ago, and it keeps coming back yearly, and keeps spreading. Okay to just let it keep growing for years, and now start harvesting a piece at a time? I’m a little worried it may have some rotten spots, one of the areas stays pretty wet. But will see how it goes I guess.
You probably won’t see this, since the article is 2017, but thank you for this article! I’m subscribed to the website, but just now saw this article. I was about to post pictures, asking if anyone knows the name of a beautiful “lily” we have planted. It spread from a neighbors’ yard, so we dug some up and made another garden in our yard. My jaw dropped when your article popped up in my feed. …. TURMERIC ! It’s turmeric! lololol …. Thank you, love your website!
Hi Marc, great article, ty! I just found a small tumeric crop growing on a property we just acquired. The neighbor helped me estimate that it’s been at least 4 years since it was last harvested, I have a few lbs here but there are very few fingers without any side roots coming out. The majority of the fingers have the stringy roots. A few questions… Is this from being in the ground for so long? And are these fingers with the stringy side roots just as edible as the fingers without roots? Can I just cut the roots off and use them to cook or juice or is it best to replant them?
Sir thank u very much for your useful tips. I stay in a coastal humid place in India .In my place we grow it in the beginning of June when the rainy season starts.The rainy season continues till September end. The harvesting is done after 18 months ie. in December the following year. No watering is done during the dry season. I am curious to know from you what practice do you follow in sowing and harvesting.What is the duration of your crop cycle. I shall be extremely grateful if you kindly inform me so that I can also implement the same at my place. Thanks in advance. Namaste.
Awesome! Glad to find your Youtube website and I look forward to learning more. Mark, I have a question. I live in Perth, Western Australia and would like to start a self-sufficient homestead on 1 or 2 acres similar to yours, however the WA soils are infamous for being sandy and gutless plus we have hot, dry summers. Do you know of any self-sustaining organic permaculture type farms around Perth? Cheers.
In West Bengal (East part of India) we process turmeric in a different way for use and preservation. The turmeric fingers are broken in pieces and then they are boiled in water mixed with cow dung. It is a process traditionally we follow. After that the turmeric is drained and dried in sun until they are shrunken and becomes very hard. Then it is pulverized to powder and that powder can be preserved and used even for years. It does not get decomposed because of the antiseptic and antibacterial property. This powder is even used in minor cuts and wounds in villages.
Hi Robbie! I just bought 1/2 lb of organic turmeric, saved the parts with the nobbly bits and stuck them in some soil. Super excited to see if it will grow! I have some growing outside but I could ALWAYS use more! It’s like $16 a pound and I mix it in my coffee to brew every morning with some black pepper. 💚
Hi Robbie I am curious on what sun direction you have your ginger and tumeric outside? I grew a very small amount last year (Tasmania so we are in Spring here in Australia but still very cold in the Huon Valley ). I used a large piece of ginger last year and made a smaller one as part of the large piece went weird. I have two leaves just out but they are very small nothing like your huge leaves. Do you keep the ginger as wet/moist as the tumeric? Thank you and Gary for your wonderful website. I find it inspiring.
Thanks, Robbie, for the great tips on growing turmeric! I’ve followed your suggestion and have several successful pots with turmeric leaves at about 20 ” (inches) tall. I understand I should probably repot them to larger pots. Do you think a pot that is 12″ wide and 15″ deep is adequate for the turmeric rhizome to grow big and healthy or is the pot too big? Please reply. Many thanks! 🙂
In all I’ve seen in ayervetic medicine and ancient culture’s foods, turmeric is, one, always cooked minimally 6-8min, and two, always cooked in a fat. Uncooked turmeric w/o a fat is most likely behind why some get kidney stones. Paying attention to old recipes pays. There’s a reason they have them. Like my family from southern middle America, we use black pepper in everything, and always has garlic and oniin powders. It turns out bp is a great digestive aid. Since we didn’t eat or have access to hot peppers, garlic, or onions, and such, bp was our access to creating warmth in digestive process.