How turmeric develop in beds or containers

Growing turmeric is playfully similar with a slow cooker in the kitchen. It's a kind of experience where you set it and forget it. Most of how to grow turmeric is easy with the right growing conditions or ingredients. Turmeric needs fertile, well-drained soil in a location with plenty of sunshine and plenty of water. Occasional checks are needed to make sure the soil is moist, not damp, and fertilized regularly, just like you would with the spices in your slow cooker. After waiting patiently, you will reap your rewards months after planting. Don't let the long growing season of 10 months scare you because very little maintenance is required if your climate is right.

Turmeric can be used fresh, dried, or powdered as a peppery addition to a number of dishes and is popular in Indian cuisine. Its bright yellow / orange color gives foods cooked by the other name of Indian saffron a similar hue. It is the most in demand for its medicinal properties.

Since turmeric is extracted from the rhizome or the tuber root, it is easy to store and harvest the rewards season after season. Save a few for your next planting! You can start with rhizomes from the grocery store, or invest in some seed houses with rare offers, or even find plant starts at nurseries that specialize in tropical plants.

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Quick‌ Care‌ ‌Guide‌

When you learn how to grow turmeric, you can keep an infinite supply. Source: Carsten ten Brink

Everything ‌ About ‌ Turmeric ‌

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a tropical plant that has numerous culinary uses as well as a coloring agent. It is the root or rhizome that is most sought after. The pale yellow or orange rhizomes can be used fresh or dried and have various medicinal properties as anti-inflammatory and are recommended for people with arthritis or other inflammation. Turmeric has a deep, earthy taste with a bit of peppery spice and bitterness.

When cooking with turmeric, expect all tools and pans to be temporarily yellow-orange in color. It is this coloring property of turmeric that traveled through Southeast Asia from its Indian subcontinent with the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism. The yellow dye is used to dye the robes of monks and priests. Turmeric gives a warm gold color on undyed natural cotton fabrics, silk and wool. Turmeric powder can give curries, rice and milk a golden hue and a natural food coloring for Easter eggs or cakes.

Like ginger, which is actually sometimes referred to as yellow ginger, turmeric belongs to the same plant family, Zingiberaceae, and has similar growing conditions as its zingy cousin. In addition to having culinary roots, it is a beautiful plant to have in your garden. The large glossy leaves create a tropical feel and the flowers are beautiful. If your conditions are cooler than those native to India and Southeast Asia, it may not bloom for you. But if you do, you're facing a show. The flowers are usually white with some purple or pink tips and are edible! The petals and light green bracts have a strong odor but a mild turmeric flavor.

Plants "turmeric"

Rows of young turmeric plants develop. Source: mmmavocado

Turmeric has a long season of 9-10 months. Fortunately, it doesn't take much maintenance during this time as long as you set it up for success.

When to‌ plant‌ ‌

Count backwards 10 months from the date of your first frost. Most climates require planting indoors in January or February. If you live in a time of year with a milder climate, you can start right outside in March. Cool soil conditions result in a slow start. You want the timing to reach much of its growth in the summer heat and dormant in late fall. When it goes to sleep, it is ready for harvest.

What ‌for‌ plant‌ ‌

If you live in a climate with relatively warm conditions for a long period of time, you can plant your turmeric in a raised bed or in a ground bed. If the soil is too cool, the rhizomes will germinate very slowly. Fresh turmeric plants can grow up to 3 inches tall. So make sure that you have plenty of space and do not unnecessarily shade neighboring plants.

If you live in a milder climate, consider changes in the growing climate. Plant turmeric in a pot that can be placed indoors if needed. Regardless of the zone, the turmeric plants can be moved around as they are planted in pots to create plenty of warmth and sunshine. In extreme temperatures, however, they can provide shade or give off filtered sun.

How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Plant‌ ‌

Choose plump rhizomes with multiple bumps or bud positions along the side. The larger the rhizome, the faster you can see the shoots. Don't try to cut into small pieces like you do with potatoes. Plant turmeric with 3-4 bumps at a time. When cutting your rhizomes into smaller pieces, cure them for at least a week to allow the cut to dry and scrape, reducing the chance of rot.

Lay your turmeric root flat in the ground and cover with 1 inch of soil. Keep wet but not damp. If you're starting out with turmeric indoors, use a small 3 to 5 inch pot or plastic bowl of potting soil. Place it in the warmest place to accelerate the growth of the shoots. You can also use a seedling heating mat. There is no need to use a grow light until you see the green shoots.

Once you have a 3-5 inch tall shoot, these should be moved to a larger pot. When storing your turmeric indoors, you'll need something that can stand under a growing light and / or a sunny window. Continue to provide a heating mat to maintain 70 degrees. If you are planting outside the rhizomes you started, you can place them outside of 4 to 6 inches apart and 2 to 4 inches deep.

Don't be alarmed if it takes a long time to see the shoots. Turmeric requires warm conditions to wake up and can start very slowly. Keep them moist and be patient.

maintenance

Turmeric rhizomes are by far the most common part of the plant. Source: Arbyreed

Try to recreate the turmeric plant's native tropical growing conditions: warm with abundant rainfall. If these conditions are met, you will succeed!

Sun and temperature

Turmeric is happiest when you get a garden location with full sun, moderately warm temperatures, and a humid environment. The ideal range for turmeric is between 20-30 ° C.

In the event of excessive temperatures above 90 ° C, shade and additional water will be required in the afternoon. In zones 8 and higher, these conditions can be achieved outside all year round. In hot and dry zones, a turmeric plant placed in a container on an afternoon shaded terrace with mist can mimic these conditions.

Growing turmeric in cooler areas requires moving indoors to ensure these spring and fall conditions. Turmeric does not withstand freezing temperatures and rhizomes do not actively grow below 60 ° (15 ° C) .‌ ‌

Water and moisture

When starting turmeric rhizomes, give them plenty of water, but don't let them get excessively wet or they will start to rot. The floor should feel wet, but not damp. A place with good drainage is necessary. Using a slow drip hose or waterer hose can help with even watering, especially if it's a hose clock.

Once the turmeric plant has germinated, keep the same moist, but not moist, conditions. It can be warmer and later in the season, so more water is needed to maintain these conditions. When the harvest approaches, cut off watering for a week or two. If you pull the rhizomes out of drier soil, they are more likely to stay intact.

ground

Turmeric likes moisture, but providing a loose, well-drained soil is key. Clay soil needs to be worked and loosened so that the plants can easily expand underground. Add plenty of aged compost to lighten the soil. Perlite can improve the drainage of particularly muddy, moist soils. When you're filling pots, good quality wrapped potting soil works well.

Fertilization

All parts of the turmeric plant including the leaves are edible. Source: Edsel L.

Turmeric is also a heavy feed. Therefore, first use a soil mixture rich in organic matter with high-quality compost. Once the turmeric is actively growing, feed it every couple of weeks throughout the season. Worm cast, organic liquid fertilizer, granular organic fertilizer, or compost tea are good choices. If you notice your growing container is losing volume, top up with good quality compost.

clipping

You may notice outer turmeric leaves that are starting to turn brown. If this is early in the season, it could indicate that your turmeric is getting too much sun and could use some shade. Cut off tan leaves to provide energy for new growth.

If this happens towards the end of the growing season, after around 10 months of growth, you are almost harvest time! Leave the leaves as they are and reduce the water in preparation for the harvest.

Multiplication

Typically, the only viable method of growing turmeric is from rhizomes. Unlike many other plants, it does not produce useful seeds, but rather develops primarily through root expansion.

Do not use all of your turmeric after harvest. When you've determined that your turmeric is a variety that will thrive and suit your needs, save some for planting for the next year. Store the seedlings in a cool, dark place until planting time.

Harvest and storage

Dry and powder turmeric or freeze the rhizomes for storage. Source: wuestenigel

Fresh turmeric roots are ready to harvest when they go into hibernation. This is when the turmeric roots are at their largest, most mature, and have the best flavor for your future nutritional needs. Time is your greatest indicator. At least 9 to 10 months should have passed since germination. The outer leaves should also turn yellowish-brown and die off.

If your growing conditions are very similar to the turmeric's tropical home region, you can see it is in bloom. The flowers are delicate and white with some purple or pink tips. The flower is not an indicator that it is ready to be harvested and it usually appears in late spring / early summer.

Using pots for growing also makes harvesting easier. Instead of pulling up the plants, turn the pot on its side and carefully toss the contents out with your hand to remove rhizomes from the soil. Turmeric rhizomes tend to form side bulbs and resemble hands or thumbs. They can easily break off if you pull from above. Also, this harvesting method does not use any tools that are risky as you can stab or damage the rhizomes. A digging fork can also be used in raised beds or in the ground to break up the rhizomes.

After harvesting, the fresh rhizomes can be gently rinsed to remove the dirt. Any long, thread-like roots can be cut with clean scissors. They can be separated at the junction between the stem and the rhizome.

When harvesting leaves or flowers, you are only pruning what you need. These aren't easy to store, so you'll need to use them fresh from the garden.

storage

Store fresh turmeric in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best to use it fresh within a few weeks or prepare for long-term preservation as dehydrated pieces, powder, or frozen. Turmeric powder is probably the most versatile and culinary one of the most common.

To make turmeric powder, cut turmeric roots into small pieces and dehydrate them. The pieces should be dry enough to crack if broken. Grind in a food processor, blender, or spice grinder.

Troubleshooting

The broad leaves are lush and teardrop-shaped and cling to the stem at the broad end. Source: Edsel L.

Most of the problems that arise when growing turmeric are likely due to conditions outside of the optimal temperature and humidity range. Too much water, conditions that are too dry, direct sunlight in extreme temperatures or cold conditions can lead to poor growth and pest problems.

Growing "problems"

Selection of correct place of cultivation because your system avoids many problems. Containers with good drainage are recommended.

Excessive watering or poor drainage will cause fungal disease and rot. Make sure that the water can easily drain from the bottom. Check the soil down a few inches. It should be wet but not damp. Adjust your watering schedule to maintain the correct level. When watering with timers, be especially careful that you are watering frequently to stay wet, but no longer to cause damp conditions.

Pests‌

With a container, you can start with high quality potting soil that is new and not introduced Shoot drill, Root node nematodes, Dig nematodes, and Lesion nematodes that will damage rhizomes. When growing in the ground or in raised beds, the plants that are grown each season must be switched to avoid these pests.

If your plants are weakened, you may also find them easy targets for pests like Aphids or Spider mites. Make sure the watering conditions are appropriate and that the leaves are not too dry. The nutrient content should be adequate and provide fertilizer regularly. Focus your energies on eliminating the root causes of your turmeric plant weakness. Remove aphids or spider mites with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a strong hose spray. For large outbreaks, pyrethrin sprays are excellent at reducing the population.

Diseases

Turmeric is easily prone to Root rot caused by python. It's important to make sure that the soil stays moist, but not damp. The addition of a microbial biofungicide can be advantageous.

frequently asked Questions

A turmeric plant can get quite bushy when it develops foliage. Source: rds02

Q: Can you grow turmeric bought from store? ‌ ‌

A: bs ‌ Absolutely! To grow your own turmeric roots, look for organic products that shouldn't be treated and will affect its ability to germinate. It's more common to find fresh turmeric in foods that specialize in Asian or Indian cuisine.

Q: ‌ ‌Is‌ ‌turmeric‌ ‌an‌ ‌annual‌ ‌or‌ ‌perennial? ‌ ‌

A: Turmeric is considered a perennial. It can be harvested on an annual cycle when it dies and begins dormant.

Q: ‌ ‌Are‌ ‌turmeric‌ ‌leaves‌ ‌edible? ‌ ‌

A: Yes! In fact, all parts of the turmeric plant are edible. The leaves have a milder taste but have some of the same health properties.

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