How To Plant Tumeric

Visit a store where turmeric root is sold for consumption. The best roots will be plump, juicy looking and have a tooth-like bud on one side. The best places to find turmeric is in stores that sell Caribbean or Indian foods or in plant nurseries.

Make a seeding station by taking a seed tray and filling it with a mixture of 2/3 seed compost to 1/3 grit. Lay the roots in the soil barb side up and bury about ½ way. Moisten the soil and place the whole container inside a plastic bag. Let sit for several days until shoots start to grow. Remove the plastic and allow to grow a few more weeks.

Plant the roots in a dry, slightly shady location. Wet and cold climates should keep turmeric growing indoors in pots filled with potting soil. Use shallow pots that have several drainage holes placed in the bottom. Plant the roots about 5/6 cm deep and 30-40 cm apart. Water until moistened, but not soaked.

Water the plants when they dry out, just to the point of moisture. Keep the plants warm. Use liquid fertilizer on the plants weekly to produce optimum growth. Water less during colder months.

Harvest the roots when the bottom leaves of the plants turn yellow and fall off. It is possible to remove the rhizomes by digging around the plant and cutting off with scissors. It usually takes 9-10 month for the plants to grow to fruition.