Turmeric is a plant whose crops are often processed into powder, with a bitter taste reminiscent of ginger. To plant it, you need a rhizome, which is a turmeric tuber that has not yet grown. Growing turmeric is easy as long as you can monitor and water it regularly. The method is also not complicated because most of the planting process can be done indoors and does not require sunlight. To grow it, buy a turmeric rhizome, plant it in a pot or small planting container, then move the plant outdoors about 6-10 months before you harvest it.
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Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Turmeric Rhizome for Planting
Step 1. Grow turmeric indoors, if desired
Turmeric takes a long time to sprout. Luckily, you can grow them indoors if you wish. Turmeric also doesn't need light to sprout, so you don't need to set aside a special place in the window for 5-6 months, which is the time it will take for the stems to grow.
- In hot climates like Indonesia, you can plant turmeric rhizomes directly in the garden. If you live in a country with 4 seasons, plant turmeric rhizomes in the winter after the last frost, so that the turmeric can sprout in the summer. However, you cannot do this if the temperature outside in winter is below 10 °C.
- If possible, grow turmeric in a greenhouse if you want to grow it outdoors. Turmeric needs plenty of room to develop roots and will grow best if conditions are moist.
Step 2. Buy turmeric rhizome at the market or grocery store
To grow turmeric, you need to have the rhizome. This ginger-like rhizome can be found in markets or grocery stores. Look for rhizomes that have many small round bumps sticking out of the tuber. These are called buds, and the number of shoots present on the rhizome will determine how large the turmeric will grow.
If you are having trouble finding turmeric rhizomes around your house, buy them from online sellers
Tip:
If your nearest grocery store doesn't sell turmeric rhizome, you can look for it at an Indian or Asian grocery store. Turmeric is a very popular spice for Indian and Asian cuisine.
Step 3. Prepare a pot that has a depth of at least 30 cm and a width of 30–50 cm
Once planted, turmeric rhizomes require a large space to grow. Turmeric can grow to a height of 1 meter so you should use a pot large enough to support the growth. Plastic or ceramic pots are perfect for turmeric.
- Use a planting container or pot with good drainage holes in the bottom.
- You can use a planting container of the same size to replace the pot.
- If grown outdoors, try placing turmeric in a planter box so the rhizomes have enough room to grow underneath. A simple box with a depth of (30–60 cm) will suffice.
Step 4. Cut the rhizome stems, if any
Depending on the type of turmeric rhizome you choose, there may still be stems growing on the rhizome. Turmeric stalks look like large chunks of dried garlic, and can branch out like tiny hairs sticking out of the rhizome. You can remove the rhizome by pulling it out when it is dry. Alternatively, you can cut the stems from the turmeric rhizome using a knife.
If the planting container or pot is small, you can cut the rhizome into smaller pieces
Step 5. Cut the rhizome into pieces that are about 5–15 cm in size with 2-3 buds in each cut
Note the length of the rhizome and count the number of shoots. Shoots are small protrusions that stick out from the body of the rhizome. Divide the rhizome into sections with 2-3 buds in each cut.
Part 2 of 4: Planting Turmeric Rhizomes
Step 1. Insert 8-15 cm of planting media into each planting container or pot
Check the packaging of the planting media you are using, and see if the soil pH is between 6-8. Insert the planting medium into the pot until it fills about a third of the bottom. You don't need to pat the planting medium, but you can move the pot around to level the soil if you want.
The pH level is the level of acidity in the soil. Turmeric will thrive in slightly acidic soil
Step 2. Place one part of the rhizome horizontally on the planting medium with the shoots facing up
Place the turmeric rhizome in the middle of the planting medium. Place the rhizome in such a way that most of the shoot is on top. If the shoots are on the sides of the rhizome in random positions, rotate them so that most of the shoots are facing upwards, even if they are slightly tilted.
- The turmeric stem will grow from the bud. So, as long as most of the shoots are facing up, chances are that the turmeric stems will grow upwards.
- Don't worry if there are turmeric stalks growing through the bottom of the pot or planting container. The stem will die when exposed to sunlight when it grows later.
Step 3. Cover the turmeric rhizome with the planting medium, leaving about 2–5 cm of space at the top of the pot
Fill the remaining space in the pot or container with planting media. Open the packaging of planting media and pour the contents into a pot or planting container. Put the planting media into all pots or planting containers that are prepared to leave a little space at the top.
Ancient Asians or Indians used manure, manure, or compost to cover turmeric rhizomes. This is not recommended because it is unhealthy
Step 4. Water the pot or planting container thoroughly until the soil looks wet
Put water in a gembor or large container, then pour it on the surface of the pot or planting container until all parts of the soil are wet. Water the pot until the soil looks wet. Do this slowly so that the turmeric rhizome does not sink.
Place the base under a pot or planting container that has drainage holes in the bottom so that watering water doesn't contaminate the room
Step 5. Put the pot or planting container in a clear plastic bag
Prepare a plastic bag or large plastic trash bag, then put the pot in it. Place each pot in a plastic bag, and fold the top of the bag over so the opening is slightly closed. Place the turmeric in the storage area you have prepared.
- If you want to grow turmeric outdoors, place it in a greenhouse if possible. If you don't have a greenhouse, try making a mini greenhouse for growing turmeric.
- Turmeric can still grow without using a greenhouse or plastic bag, but the shoots will grow faster if the humidity is always maintained. If you can't store it in a greenhouse or plastic bag, water the turmeric daily in a spray bottle.
- You don't need to seal the plastic bag tightly. You just need to restrict airflow to encourage turmeric growth.
Step 6. Place the planting pot or container in a warm location
Turmeric will thrive in temperatures of 20–35 °C. Plants may die before sprouting if the temperature is less than 10 °C.
- If there is no warm area to store turmeric in, you can use a table lamp or heating pad to keep it warm.
- If you don't have any utensils to keep turmeric warm, and there's no suitable place to store it, put the turmeric pot in a plastic cooler and place it in the warmest location in the house.
- While it's still growing, it doesn't matter if the plant is exposed to light at this stage.
Step 7. Water the turmeric every 2-3 days to keep the soil moist
The rhizomes should be watered regularly, especially if you live in a hot area as the water will likely evaporate quickly. Check the turmeric every few days to make sure the growing medium is still damp. If the soil is still a bit wet, check again the next day. Flush the turmeric rhizome with water until the soil at the top looks moist.
Tip:
If the weather is cold or the soil is still wet when you want to water, you don't need to water right away. If you want to increase the humidity level, try watering it with a spray bottle.
Step 8. Wait for the turmeric to grow for 6 to 10 months
Turmeric will start sprouting after 6-10 months of watering in warm climates. If the turmeric stem has emerged from the pot or planting container, the turmeric has started to grow into an adult plant. Let the turmeric stay in its original place until the stems grow to a height of 10-20 cm.
Part 3 of 4: Moving Turmeric Outdoors
Step 1. Transfer the turmeric to a new pot once the stems reach a height of 10–20 cm
Once the stems emerge, transfer the turmeric to a larger pot or in a sunny area. How to move it, put the planting medium into a new pot until it reaches half the part. Put your hand in the planting medium in the turmeric pot and look for the rhizome. Carefully lift the rhizome from the soil, removing the topsoil as needed. Give the distance between plants at least about 50 cm in the same planting container or planting box.
- Use the old soil to plant the rhizomes in this new place.
- If turmeric is grown in the garden, you do not need to move it.
- If you move the turmeric into a planting box, make holes that allow the plant to have at least 50 cm of space around it in all directions.
Tip:
Pots that are at least 2 times the size of the previous container can provide sufficient space for plants.
Step 2. Move the plant to a partially shaded location after you've moved it to a larger pot or planting container
Look for a location that gets partial shade so the leaves don't scorch when they have to adjust to the sun. Once the turmeric has been transferred to a larger container, place the plant outdoors to get some sunlight and continue to grow. Turmeric does not need a lot of light to grow healthily. By placing it in a location that gets at least partial shade on some days, the turmeric leaves will not dry out quickly.
If the weather where you live is very cold to 10 °C or less, you should place turmeric indoors near a window
Step 3. Water the turmeric outdoors every 2-3 days
It is very important to move the turmeric outdoors once the leaves have grown. This is because plants need sunlight in order to grow. Continue to water as you normally would indoors to prevent the plant from drying out. Plants can die if they don't get enough water.
Set the spray hose to the mist setting when you water the turmeric to prevent damage to the leaves
Step 4. Watch for damage or discoloration of the plant
If the turmeric leaves look damaged, this may be a sign that the plant has been attacked by thrips or leaf-eating caterpillars. Use an organic pesticide (eg neem oil) or a non-toxic tillage agent to deal with nuisance insects. If the turmeric rhizome looks gray or pale when you remove it or examine it, the plant may have been infested with scale insects. Remove the rhizome so that the infestation does not spread, then apply dimethoate into the soil.
Turmeric plants are usually not very favored by insects in temperate climates. Even turmeric powder can be used as a natural pesticide for some plants
Part 4 of 4: Harvesting Turmeric
Step 1. Harvest turmeric when the leaves and stems start to turn brown and dry out
Within the next 2-3 months, the plant will begin to turn brown and dry out. This is the time to harvest turmeric. If allowed to continue to grow, the plant will slowly rot over time and produce poor quality turmeric when extracted.
A sign that the plant is ready to harvest is when the turmeric looks hard to hold water and dries quickly
Step 2. Cut the turmeric stems 3–8 cm from the ground
To harvest it, you have to take the mature rhizomes that are in the ground. To start, cut the stems near the ground using pruning shears or a knife. Remove the leaves and use them as compost.
If the turmeric plant is dry enough, you can break the stems near the ground with your hands
Step 3. Remove the turmeric rhizome and wash it in the sink
Once the stems are cut, pull the rest of the plant out of the soil using your hands. Cut off the remaining stems and place the rhizomes into the sink for cleaning. Wet the turmeric with warm water, then use your hands to rub it gently to remove dirt and soil that sticks.
Do not rub the turmeric excessively. All you need to do is remove soil and dirt from the outer layer of the rhizome before the turmeric is ground, used, or stored
Step 4. Store the turmeric rhizome in the refrigerator if you don't want to use it yet
Put the rhizome in a plastic bag or airtight container. You can store turmeric in the refrigerator for up to 6 months without spoiling its taste.
Tip:
Once stored in the refrigerator, you can replant the turmeric rhizome. As long as it hasn't been cooked or boiled, turmeric can be grown again using the same steps described in this article.
Step 5. Boil and peel the turmeric if you are going to grind it
To prepare the turmeric to be ground, boil the clean rhizomes in a pot of water. After the water boils, reduce the heat to the stove until the water only boils slightly. Wait 45-60 minutes before you drain the water in the pot and drain the turmeric. You can rub the skin of the turmeric after boiling it, although you can also leave it alone.
The turmeric rhizome is ready to grind if you can pierce it easily with a fork after boiling
Step 6. Make turmeric powder by grinding it
Dry the turmeric in the sun for one day. Put on rubber gloves before you make turmeric powder because the orange powder is difficult to remove from the skin. Cut the rhizome into small pieces, then puree with a spice blender, grinder, or pestle and mortar until it turns into a fine powder.
- To speed up the drying of turmeric rhizomes, you can use a dehydrator (food dryer) set at 60 °C. Turmeric is ready to be chopped and ground if the texture is crumbly and dry. This process usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Store turmeric powder in an airtight container specially designed for food for later use.
Warning
- Do not grind turmeric that is treated with non-organic pesticides when grown. Instead, wash the turmeric and replant it so you can grind it later when it's harvested.
- If the turmeric starts to smell when placed indoors, it may be that the rhizome is starting to rot from getting too much water.
- Turmeric takes a long time to grow and requires a lot of water to stay healthy. If you're planning to travel for a long time next year, it's a good idea to put off the urge to grow turmeric.
