Turmeric Growing Information:
Turmeric is a tropical plant closely related to ginger. It grows from tubers; a whole plant can grow from a 2-3 inch tuber, in ideal conditions, you can harvest up to a pound of tubers from one plant.
Turmeric prefers nitrogen-rich soil and thrives in three-quarters sun, with ample, consistent water.
It grows well in Western North Carolina but cannot tolerate any frost.
Storing Dormant Tubers: To grow turmeric from dormant tubers, store them in a cool, dark place, in a nest of shredded leaves or coconut core, with a TINY bit of moisture until you are ready to sprout them.
Sprouting Tubers: Two to three months before your area’s average last frost date, begin the process of sprouting your dormant tuber. Put your tubers in a pot with a balanced potting soil, moisten the soil to the consistency of a wrung-out sponge, and place in a sunny window sill or under grow lights. Keep soil moist.
Planting Out Sprouted Tubers: After the average last frost date has passed for your area, plant your tubers out in your garden. An ideal place for your turmeric will include a little bit of shade, clear soil, some nitrogen-rich compost, and plenty of regular water. Plant your sprouted tuber just below the soil with any roots pointing down and any sprouts pointing up. If you notice that the tuber becomes uncovered over time, put a few handfuls of soil over it.
Growing Maintenance: Turmeric is a naturally vigorous and hearty plant; once it gets going will not need a lot of upkeep. Water it regularly during dry spells and add compost around the roots, if your soil is not naturally nitrogen-rich.
Harvesting Turmeric: The longer your turmeric has to grow, the more tubers it will produce, but it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. As the first frost date for your area approaches watch the weather forecast. When temperatures below freezing are predicted, dig up your turmeric. Use a shovel or pitchfork to dig a wide circle around the base of your plant, then use your fingers to loosen the roots and separate it from the soil, taking care not to damage the tubers with metal tools. From here, you can either use the tubers for cooking or allow them to go dormant to replant next year.