Growing turmeric is pretty easy if you live in a warm, humid location. Photo by iStock/aimintang. To plant ginger or turmeric in the spring, cut rhizome fingers (referred to as seeds) to 2 to 3 inches with two to four buds. The most commercially significant species of curcuma, Curcuma longa, is the plant from which we get turmeric, the ingredient that gives yellow mustard its color. Gardening Supplies. Break up the rhizome. Turmeric is harvested from the yellow/orange rhizome of the Curcuma longa, approximately eight to ten months after planting it. It likes warm temperatures and humidity. After a stem has finished flowering, cut it to the ground to encourage new growth. Edible ginger root can be bought fresh by the pound, or in a powdered or candied form. Break larger rhizome into smaller pieces. Plant turmeric in the Spring. Make sure each piece has a bud or two on it. Jun 7, 2014 - Posts about growing turmeric in Florida written by PickMeYard. Turmeric is the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant. The turmeric root thrives in warm or tropical climates. Because sprouting of buds can be uneven, maintain seed pieces in a humid potting mix under 80% humidity before planting. 1. In winter, turmeric rhizomes can stay outdoors in South Florida and where there is no risk of freezing. The turmeric you find in the spice aisle in the grocery store is the plant's rhizomes, dried and ground into a powder, but you can substitute fresh turmeric into most any recipe. Whether indoors or on a patio, Turmeric plants thrive in containers (zones 5-11) and in ground planting (zones 8-11), Turmeric grown in containers can be brought indoors for the winter, where it will spend the cold months dormant without leaves. Growing Turmeric requires a lot of hand labor throughout most of the season. The flowers are yellow-white, growing on a spike-like stalk. While you can sometimes find turmeric at your local garden supply store, you may also have luck finding turmeric for planting in the produce aisle of your favorite grocery store. The edible ginger, Zingiber officinale, has narrow leaf blades and yellow-green flowers with purple tips that grow in dense spikes. Now I feel confident to try it. Ginger and turmeric have similar cultural requirements, so you can plant a pot of each and give them the same basic care. LNB Farms carries it at the Pinecrest Farmers Market on Sundays and the Arsht Center market on Monday nights. Choose a firm, fresh piece. It’s a tropical plant, and can only be grown outdoors if you live in zones 9 or warmer. Lovely and tasty turmeric is a home-run in the garden! Turmeric doesn’t propagate seeds and is grown from rhizomes (root cuttings). Simply cut rhizome fingers otherwise referred to as seeds to 2 to 3 inches. Another advantage of growing turmeric in pots is that you can grow turmeric if you live in an apartment and you don't have a garden bed. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Since cold weather is soon approaching, let’s focus on growing turmeric indoors. A fast-growing deciduous shrub, American elder is a native that blooms prolifically in South Florida with tiny white and yellow flowers. Turmeric takes between 8 to 10 months for the edible rhizomes to mature. Valerie Quant January 18, 2019. Fresh turmeric can be hard to find consistently in the grocery store. Jun 7, 2014 - Posts about growing turmeric in Florida written by PickMeYard. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) know how to grow turmeric plant, Growing turmeric plant in containers, Harvesting turmeric plant, Pests, and disease Curcuma longa, and more about the plant. A turmeric rhizome cut in half. Save A chemical compound called curcumin found in the fleshy rhizomes of this plant is responsible for the bright hue, as well as numerous potential health benefits. Photo by iStock/BruceBlock. Ginger and turmeric have similar cultural requirements, so you can plant a pot of each and give them the same basic care. We will be posting more soon as there have been many improvements made in our system. Turmeric grows well in areas that have a hardiness zone of 8 or higher. bellagirl0614. I wish it were. Jeremy Quant February 3, 2020 certified organic turmeric, vero beach florida, bulk organic turmeric. Turmeric is a tropical plant and needs temperatures between 68 °F (20 °C) and 86 °F (30 °C) as well as a considerable amount of rainfall to thrive. Because sprouting of buds can be uneven, maintain seed pieces in a humid potting mix under 80% humidity before planting. Cooks commonly use it for Middle Eastern or African cuisine. It is usually planted in the winter, and harvested the following fall to early winter. We usually plant our turmeric in March and harvest in late December. Plant 1 or 2 rhizomes in such a pot. The distinctive yellow pigment of the turmeric root lends its color to curries, pickles and other dishes. Turmeric is also easily grown in a container and moved to protection for those who wish to grow as a perennial in climates colder than zone 8. Break up the rhizome. Cooks commonly use it for Middle Eastern or African cuisine. However, like most spices, turmeric can be added to almost any dish: sautéed with vegetables, sprinkled into mashed potatoes (regular or sweet), or added to sauces and baked goods. As long as they have plenty of sun. So why isn't it a part of our everyday cuisine in America? Garden Planters. 1. It can also be grown throughout Florida. You may grow it faster in the tropics but in zone 8/9 where I used to grow it I couldn’t get a good yield until two years after planting. With its tropical foliage and showy flowers, turmeric is a beautiful and useful addition to any garden. last month. Attain turmeric root. Or, plant in containers all year round! Do this a few days ahead of planting to allow the cut surfaces to dry, reducing chances of rotting. Well the second time is middle of June of 2017 and maybe it is too soon to tell, but I planted about 6 turmeric roots I bought from an Amish grocer, and a week later planted 2 POUNDS of turmeric I bought from Amazon once again. Whether indoors or on a patio, Turmeric plants thrive in containers (zones 5-11) and in ground planting (zones 8-11), Turmeric grown in containers can be brought indoors for the winter, where it will spend the cold months dormant without leaves. Therefore, all you need is one turmeric root, which you can buy at a local nursery or online. And if you live in Zones 8-11, you can grow it completely outdoors. Harvesting Turmeric . Like ginger, the underground stems, or rhizomes, of turmeric have been used for thousands of years in Indian cooking and is a major component in curry recipes; it is also quite popular in other Asian, East African, and Caribbean dishes. For folks growing turmeric exclusively outside, it is best to plant rhizomes when the soil is regularly 55 degrees or warmer, with daytime air temperatures close to 70°F . These were planted directly in the ground in February, which in SW Florida is an OK time to get this going. Turmeric plant boasts large, showy blooms. To plant, cut the rhizome into pieces 1 to 1½ inches long, each containing at least one "eye" if possible. If you live in an area that develops frost in colder months, grow your turmeric indoors. Not a dainty plant, turmeric has large green leaves and grows 3 or more feet tall. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a tropical plant in the same family as ginger. There is currently ongoing research into the anti-inflammatory properties of both Ginger and Turmeric and the anti-nausea properties of ginger. The turmeric plant grows to three feet and has oblong, dark green leaves that are about five inches wide. Turmeric doesn’t propagate seeds and is grown from rhizomes (root cuttings). When you're ready to use it you don't even need to thaw it; simply grate what you need into your recipe. It has great medicinal value. Turmeric plant with flower growing under banana, first year. Turmeric requires 8 to 10 months of frost-free growing, from planting to harvest. Wet summers and dry winters are perfect for growing happy turmeric. Make sure each piece has a bud or two on it. But turmeric doesn’t have to be dried and pulverized before using it in the kitchen. In your prepared bed, insert each piece and cover with about 1 inch of soil. The pictures were REALLY useful. The pictures were REALLY useful. It just sat there and I forgot about it. In warm areas, plants may require shade during the summer to avoid heat stress and foliar damage. Photo by iStock/odyphoto. Turmeric is an excellent Indian spice that people use in the kitchen, and all of us buy it from the grocery store. New Virtual Plant Clinic with Indian River County Master Gardeners, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2 cups coconut milk (or almond, soy, or cow’s milk), 1/2 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh ginger root, 1/2 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh turmeric root, Pinch ground cardamom (nutmeg or cinnamon may be added), Raw Honey or sweetener to taste, if desired. Ginger, Zingiber officinale, and Turmeric, Curcuma longa, are just two popular spices that can grow well in our Florida gardens. If you live in an area that develops frost in colder months, grow your turmeric indoors. We will be posting more soon as there have been many improvements made in our system. Your options are only limited by your creativity. Luckily for Florida gardeners, growing it at home is easy. Turmeric is high on the list because it is easy, beautiful, and perennial. With a nutty taste and a slightly bitter edge, turmeric is a great balance for sweeter spices. Simply wash, peel, and freeze the rhizomes. Cultivation: Grow turmeric as annual in climates colder than zone 8, or a winter hardy perennial in zones 8 and higher. Turmeric prolifically produces rhizomes that are ready for harvest generally in late fall or early winter; you'll know it's ready when the plant goes dormant. I,ve wanted to grow it for some time . The plants within the genus Curcuma are sometimes known collectively as "ginger" or "turmeric" plants. Gingers aren't bothered by many pests. The edible ginger, Zingiber officinale, has narrow leaf blades and yellow-green flowers with purple tips that grow in dense spikes. Cooks commonly use it for Middle Eastern or African cuisine. Which leads me to the one downside of growing turmeric: it takes two years for a good clump. You may grow it faster in the tropics but in zone 8/9 where I used to grow it I couldn’t get a good yield until two years after planting. being careful to keep cutting if they don’t come up easily. 2020 Turmeric harvest season has begun. -blond than ginger. Both are beneficial in the kitchen and possibly in the medicine cabinet. Its dark purple berries are fermented to make wine and are used in jellies and pies. Yes, as indicated in the beginning of the article above, you can grow turmeric root purchased at the grocery store and it will grow – as long as it has not been treated with a growth inhibitor. A notable advantage to growing your own turmeric is that you can occasionally pick one or two of its large leaves to use as wrappers for delicate foods you want to grill. Turmeric is likely best known as a pungent and bright yellow spice in Indian cuisine.