In general, growing store-bought turmeric is easy once you know the basic steps.
When you buy Turmeric from the store, there are few important things to know before growing them.
Store bought Turmeric seeds have been treated with fungicides and insecticides to disinfect them from seed-borne diseases that happens over time.
You can plant each Turmeric rhizome or root about 2 to 4 inches deep into the soil and water it regularly.
Turmeric is native to southern India and Indonesia, and is best grown in warm climates, such as zone 8.
However, it can be successfully grown in cooler areas, too, if you follow some basic guidelines.
Depending on where you live, it may take 8 to 10 months for the Turmeric plant to mature.
In those regions, you may consider starting the plant indoors or in a greenhouse.
In this article, we’ll look at the different places or options when it comes to growing store-bought Turmeric plants. Let’s dive right in:
Growing Turmeric From Rhizomes (or Roots)
To grow turmeric in your own garden, you can purchase rhizomes from a health food store or from an Asian grocer.
Make sure to choose organic ones. If you are in a colder climate, you can order your rhizomes from a greenhouse.
Turmeric roots need lots of humidity and space to grow. If you don’t live in a warmer climate, you can order turmeric roots online.
If you’re growing turmeric for the first time, be patient! The best time to plant rhizomes is late winter or early spring. Place the rhizomes in the bottom of a large pot and space them four to six inches apart.
Place the pot under a sunny window or grow lights so that the soil stays warm. If the weather is not warm enough, place the pots on a sunny windowsill. Alternatively, you can grow turmeric under grow lights.
When planting rhizomes from a store-bought turmeric plant, make sure to water them well but let them dry between waterings. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy; too much water will cause the plant to rot.
To keep your turmeric plants happy and healthy, add compost tea to the soil. Apply fertilizer to the soil if needed. It is also important to water regularly.
After about nine months of growth, your fresh turmeric rhizomes are ready for harvest. It will be ready for harvest when the outer leaves turn yellowish brown. Flowers are produced when growing conditions in its native territory are right.
Flowering turmeric will appear in late spring or early summer. When you harvest the turmeric plant, you can dig up the rootball and harvest it. If you are growing turmeric for its flavor, use it in dishes, teas, or other applications.
When harvesting rhizomes from your garden, you must remove all leaves and stalks from your turmeric plant. Make sure to wear gloves when harvesting turmeric. The leaves and flowers are not stored well.
For storage, place rhizomes in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator. You should use them within two weeks or so. The dried form is preferred for most uses.
Growing Turmeric in a Planter’s Box
You can grow turmeric in a pot indoors in winter. It can reach a height of over a meter. Turmeric is a perennial that requires a pot with good drainage and a deep, wide hole. Instead of pots, you can use planters.
Turmeric is well-suited to planters boxes. Using planters boxes, you can provide ample space for the roots of your turmeric plant.
To begin growing turmeric, lay the rhizome on the soil with the buds facing upwards. Place it in the center of the soil. Rotate the pot so that the majority of the buds face the opening of the planter’s box.
The plant will sprout stalks when it is ready. Use the same soil that you previously planted. When the turmeric plant is taller, you can use a larger pot.
When planting turmeric in pots, keep in mind that it will grow to three feet. This is because turmeric’s roots need ample space and high humidity. You can move the planter from one area to another to provide heat and shade.
Once the green shoots begin to appear, you can move the potted plant outdoors. It may require a grow light until it produces new leaves. But in general, you can keep the turmeric in a pot indoors as long as you provide it with the correct conditions.
After transplanting the rhizomes, you’ll need to care for them. Rinse them to remove any dirt. After that, trim off the odd long roots.
Then, allow them to dry completely before storing them. It’s best to use turmeric within a few weeks of its harvest. If you do not plan to use it in a recipe, make sure to store them in a cool dark area.
Harvest the rhizomes of turmeric when they are nine to ten months old. The larger the rhizome, the more shoots it will produce.
The rhizomes should not be cut into tiny pieces. Cut them into small pieces after they have been dried for at least a week to reduce the chances of rot. Also, make sure to let them cure for a week before planting.
Growing Turmeric in a Greenhouse
If you’re interested in growing turmeric, consider starting the plant from rhizomes. These roots will sprout in the summer after the last frost.
In colder climates, however, it must be grown in a greenhouse because it needs plenty of humidity and space to grow.
You can purchase turmeric rhizomes online. Here are some of the main tips for starting your own turmeric plant. Once you’ve purchased your rhizomes, be sure to follow the instructions on the package for planting.
To harvest turmeric, rinse the rhizomes thoroughly. You may find some odd-looking roots attached. If this is the case, cut them off with a pair of clean scissors.
Once the turmeric rhizomes are removed from the pots, let them air dry before storing.
If you want to keep turmeric for later use, be sure to freeze them. After harvesting, turmeric should last about a year, so make sure you store them properly.
To grow turmeric successfully, use a good quality compost in your soil mix.
Turmeric does not produce seeds, so you can store extra for next year.
To prevent root rot, make sure the soil is well-drained and free of soggy conditions. Keep your turmeric in a dark and cool place.
Then, harvest it when the outer leaves are brown, about eight to ten months old. Your turmeric will be ready to harvest after this period.
Once you have prepared the soil, you can plant the rhizomes. It is best to buy rhizomes that have several bumps and bud locations on the side.
A large piece of turmeric rhizome will produce more shoots.
If you can’t wait until the end of the summer, you can buy live turmeric starter plants from Papcool Gardens. These are approximately four to six inches tall.
Once the rhizomes are a few inches in size, you can transplant them into a larger pot. It’s best to keep the soil moist but not so wet.
Once they are a couple inches tall, they’re ready to be transplanted. Turmeric is a slow-growing plant that requires a warm environment.
To speed up the process, use a seedling heating mat and keep the soil at a comfortable temperature. You can also use quality bagged potting mix to pot your plant.
Growing Turmeric in a Raised Bed
If you’re thinking about growing turmeric, you might be wondering what you need to prepare the soil before planting the seeds.
You can begin by separating the turmeric rhizome from the hands, which should be done a few days to a week prior to planting.
To harvest turmeric seeds, break apart the rhizome by digging a large circle and pulling out the remaining stems.
If you’re growing turmeric in a pot, set it on its side. Pull out the rhizomes, which should be in a bundle. Brush off the soil and break apart the pieces.
Before planting, keep the turmeric seeds in a cool, sheltered place, out of the sun for a few days. The seeds don’t require immediate watering but misting them often can help retain moisture.
Once the roots emerge, plant them in the same soil where they were originally planted.
To keep the soil moist, you can add a layer of mulch. If you’re growing turmeric in a temperate climate, make sure you keep the temperature at a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Besides soil conditions, you need to consider the type of growing medium for turmeric.
Ideal Soil for Turmeric: Summary
The ideal soil for growing turmeric must be loose, well-draining, and free of large clumps. It should also be well-draining and rich in organic matter.
The native ground soil may need to be amended with aged compost. Alternatively, you can purchase live turmeric plants from Papcool Gardens.
If you’re interested in growing turmeric, be sure to order the two-pack of live starter plants for a bonus!
After the leaves and stems have turned brown, you can harvest the rhizomes. Rinse them well and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for several months.
Otherwise, you can dry them out or grind them into powder.
Once the rhizomes have dried, you can replant them in the same location or store them in a dry, cool place. If you want to harvest more than you can use, you can always freeze them for future harvest.