How to grow Turmeric

Interested in growing your own Turmeric? This guide will tell you everything you need to know, from sun requirements to pests and troubleshooting notes.

Turmeric prefers deep, well draining, sandy loam soil enriched with plenty of well rotted compost.

Plant Turmeric in a full to partial sun position. 

No, Turmeric is not frost tolerant. 

Plant Turmeric roughly 35cm apart. 

Turmeric is a warm season crop, best planted when soil temperatures reach roughly 20°C (68°F). Turmeric is best planted in spring once the danger of frost has passed. 

Feeding Turmeric plants is not essential if the soil is prepared well, however if plants seem to be struggling than use a light application of organic fertiliser throughout the season.

You can harvest young Turmeric at roughly 4-6 months after it has sprouted. At this time you will generally see small side shoots coming off the main plant, which is an indication that new rhizomes have formed. Harvest by gently moving the soil away from around the plant to expose the rhizomes and break off small pieces as needed.

Mature Turmeric is usually harvested when the plant begins to die back in late autumn or winter, at least 10 months after planting. Ensure that your Turmeric has been harvested before the first frost. 

Pests that affect Turmeric plants include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Root Knot Nematodes, Burrowing Nematodes, Chinese Rose Beetle. 

Diseases that affect Turmeric include: Bacterial Wilt, Rhizome Rot, Alligator Skin, Dry Rot. 

Tall plants may need protection from strong winds to prevent them from snapping.