Growing Turmeric in South Florida. The advantages of growing turmeric plant in containers is that the plant can be moved in sun; and also indoors if there is snow or frost. No herb garden is complete without a turmeric plant. Thankfully there is an Asian farmer’s market that I go to that carries fresh turmeric! I,ve wanted to grow it for some time . Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family which also includes ginger, cardamom, and galangal. Turmeric is high on the list because it is easy, beautiful, and perennial. Attain turmeric root. In most parts of the U.S. turmeric will produce best if you plant it indoors in the late winter. 2. I wish it were. Photo: Ulrich Prokop CC-BY-SA-3.0, The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). The edible ginger, Zingiber officinale, has narrow leaf blades and yellow-green flowers with purple tips that grow in dense spikes. These were planted directly in the ground in February, which in SW Florida is an OK time to get this going. Also known as Indian saffron, thanks to its yellow coloring, turmeric can also boost the color of your dishes. of Tasty Sawa ground turmeric. 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. last month. In the photo below what may not be evident is the design of a sun trap. Reply. 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. If you live in Zone 8 and higher, you can grow ginger and turmeric in the garden. In the book, I combine both “new” ideas with the wisdom of the past, then mix it all together with humor and some crazy ideas that only a truly mad gardener would try. How to grow Curcuma...Grow your own Turmeric Plant! Grate the root to use it fresh, or let it dry and then powder it. Comments (6) gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) last month. being careful to keep cutting if they don’t come up easily. The position must be sheltered from the wind. Plant 1 or 2 rhizomes in such a pot. 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. Because sprouting of buds can be uneven, maintain seed pieces in a humid potting mix under 80% humidity before planting. How to grow Ginger & Turmeric. The pleated leaves will eventually become plumes four feet tall in ideal conditions, and green and white cones of yellow flowers will emerge between the leaves in summer. Which leads me to the one downside of growing turmeric: it takes two years for a good clump. But turmeric doesn’t have to be dried and pulverized before using it in the kitchen. Wet summers and dry winters are perfect for growing happy turmeric. Global Posts, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and University of Florida, P.O. 1. -blond than ginger. Gingers aren't bothered by many pests. While the leaves and stems are edible, most people harvest turmeric only for its roots. The surrounding environment also plays a critical role in Permaculture design. Turmeric is harvested from the yellow/orange rhizome of the Curcuma longa, approximately eight to ten months after planting it. Plant in full sun and prune regularly. As a general rule about 1 inch of fresh turmeric is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of freshly grated turmeric, or 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric. Ginger, Zingiber officinale, and Turmeric, Curcuma longa, are just two popular spices that can grow well in our Florida gardens. I am in zone 10a, southeast Florida. Space them 15 inches in the row and 15 inches between the row. Photo by iStock/BruceBlock. Turmeric doesn’t propagate seeds and is grown from rhizomes (root cuttings). Plant turmeric in the Spring. 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. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/turmeric.html, Announcing! The Quant family is working hard this season to harvest, process and pack over 1,000lbs per week! With its tropical foliage and showy flowers, turmeric is a beautiful and useful addition to any garden. Turmeric takes between 8 to 10 months for the edible rhizomes to mature. If you live in Zone 8 and higher, you can grow ginger and turmeric in the garden. I would recommend starting in spring and growing in pots if you live up north so that you can bring your turmeric in during colder months. How To Harvest Turmeric. Plant your water tumeric in a lake or pool with full sun or light shade. I live in Florida so, although I have the warmth and enough sunlight, we have sandy soil here, so growing it would be a trying task. Simply wash, peel, and freeze the rhizomes. To harvest roots from your mature plant, dig into the soil carefully and slice off a chunk of root. Or, plant in containers all year round! 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. A part of our everyday cuisine in America 's foliage can grow in! 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