Did you know that turmeric is one of the healthiest spices in the world? With a long list of health benefits and being an awesome culinary addition, it’s definitely worth adding it to your diet.
And, it’s even better news that you can actually grow it in the comfort of your own home, regardless of whether you have a big garden outside or you live in apartment.
An awesome choice for tea, smoothies, lattes and golden milk, fresh turmeric is definitely a most. Of course, you can find it in health food stores and grocery stores, but, is there anything better than a fresh supply?
Thanks to these several tips and instructions, you can easily learn how to grow it at home.
Why Is Turmeric Good for You?
Turmeric is a tropical plant and originates from the same family ginger does. The plant is characterized by large green leaves and a potential height of up to 3 feet or more.
With the plant maturing, each stem sends a spike of greenish-white and sometimes, pink flowers.
It loves a warm and humid condition and a soil that’s neutral and drains well.
How to Grow Turmeric at Home?
In most US parts, turmeric does best if planted indoors in late winter.
Depending on the indoor and outdoor space you have, you can keep on growing it inside as a houseplant in the summer or take it outside when the chance for frost is past and the weather is warm enough to take out eggplants and peppers.
Turmeric needs 7 to 10 months from planting to harvest-to find out when to plant it, count back 10 months from when you get the first frost in autumn.
If the growing season is longer or you have a bigger and sunny indoor area to grow it, the timing is less important; however, you still have best chances if you plant it in late winter through spring.
How to Plant Turmeric?
Turmeric grows from rhizomes-fleshy structures that remind of roots. You can find them online or in local supermarkets or health food stores.
Opt for the plump rhizomes that have as many bumps (buds) on the sides as possible.
Choose a 14 or 18 inch pot for each 6 to 8 inches of rhizomes and sufficient soil to fill it.
Sprout the rhizomes in smaller containers first and then transplant them into bigger containers when they’ve established leaves and are growing optimally.
Cut the rhizomes into sections, making sure there are two or three buds on each of them. Fill 3-inch containers with soil, halfway.
Then, lay the cut rhizomes flat onto the soil and cover them with more.
Water them well and cover them with clear plastic bags. Put them in the warmest spot in your home. Check upon the pots every couple of days and when you see sprouts, move them to a windowsill or under a grow light.
Once the bags have outgrown the covers, remove them.
Watering is now important-maintain the soil moist, but never soggy. Mist it once or twice per day to up the humidity.
Leave the soil to dry out will lower your final harvest.
When to Transplant to Bigger Pots?
When the plant has grown 6 to 8 inches in height, carefully transplant them into bigger pots in soil. If you’ve used a heat meat, you can remove it if the indoor temperature is averagely 68 degrees F.
When any chance for frost has passed, place the turmeric outside. Partial shade for the first couple of days is important to avert foliage burn.
Keep watering during the summer and fall-soil should be moist, but not soggy.
Feed the turmeric with compost tea or a fertilizer for potatoes every couple of weeks.
The Best Part: Harvesting Your Turmeric?
When the leaves and stem begin to go brown and dry, around 7 to 10 months after you’ve planted it, it’s ready to be harvested.
Shake the soil off it and cut the stems off an inch above the mass of the rhizomes and wash them well.
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