====== Turmeric ======

===== Botanical Information =====
^Botanical Information^^
^Order | Zingiberales|
^Family | Zingiberaceae|
^Genus | Curcuma|
^Common Name | Turmeric|
^Species | C. longa|

===== Maturity days =====
  * 210-300 days (7-10 months)

===== Planting Months =====
^Planting months^^^^^^^^^^^^
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|     |     |     | X   | X   |     |     |     |     |X    |X    |X    |

{{tag>
april
may
october
november
december
}}

===== Permaculture uses =====
^Permaculture uses^^^
| Usage 1| Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
| Spice| Medicinal, ground cover, chop & drop| Dye, cosmetic, bee food|

===== Growing condition comments =====
^Growing Condition ^Comment^
|Drought Tolerant |Low tolerance, requires consistent moisture|
|Humidity tolerant |Prefers high humidity|
|Planting area |Well-drained, rich soil in garden beds or large pots|
|Sunlight |Partial shade to full sun, prefers dappled sunlight|

===== Photos =====
^Photos^^
|{{:wiki:tumeric_4.jpg?200|}}|{{:wiki:tumeric_5.jpg?200|}}|
|Tumeric sprouting in December - ready for planting with the onset of the wet season|Young tumeric plant|

===== Recipes =====

|{{topic>turmeric_recipe&simplelist&nodate&nouser}}|

===== Short comments =====
Turmeric is a versatile, tropical perennial herb grown for its flavorful and medicinal rhizomes.

===== General comments =====
=== Ecology ===
Turmeric thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with temperatures between 20-30°C and high annual rainfall. It grows well as an understory plant in food forests.

=== Uses ===
Turmeric is widely used as a spice, natural dye, and for its medicinal properties. The rhizomes are the primary part used, but leaves can also be utilized in cooking.

=== Food ===
The rhizomes are dried and ground into a powder used in curries, mustards, and other dishes. Fresh turmeric can be grated or sliced for use in teas, smoothies, and various recipes.

=== Planting Depth ===
Plant rhizomes 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) deep in the soil.

=== Seed Saving Tips ===
Turmeric is propagated by rhizome division rather than seeds. Save healthy rhizomes for replanting.

=== Cautionary Comments ===
Turmeric can stain clothes and skin. Wear gloves when handling fresh rhizomes.

=== Planting stored tubers ===
Store rhizomes in a cool, dry place until planting time. In October, November, or December, when humidity increases, plant the stored rhizomes in well-prepared soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to encourage sprouting.

=== Freezing tubers ===
Turmeric rhizomes can be frozen for year-round use. Clean and slice or grate the rhizomes, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen turmeric can be used directly in cooking without thawing.

===== Tags =====
{{tag>
Zingiberales
Zingiberaceae
Curcuma
Turmeric
Perennial
Bee_food
Herb
Full_sun
Partial_shade
Garden_bed
Ground
chop_and_drop
Spice
Medicinal
Dye
}}