Why Moving the Turmeric
Last week I spoke about starting a new bed of turmeric. One of the reasons for this is that I have only grown the turmeric in random places and haven’t given it much attention. We have sold turmeric on occasion to a local co-op and as it grows so readily without much attention we could expand on this opportunity and get more productive.
The niche that I chose last week as I mentioned has been an awkward place to get production from and is not so readily accessible. Turmeric is seasonal and pretty much looks after itself so will suit this spot well. It grows from September to April here in the southern hemisphere and then the top dies off . The rhizome and tubers then will survive quite well in the soil and then start to grow as the weather gets hotter. I am noticing that since my plants have been growing in not ideal conditions the older tubers and rhizomes are dying off as the new growth comes on. Hopefully the new location with better fertility and less competition we will see more productivity.
We have managed to catch up on the compost and I needed a large amount for the turmeric bed so one of our backup composts is in the deep litter in the chicken pens.
I managed to get seven barrowloads for the bed making a good layer of fertility. Then a good layer of mulch to finish the bed off.
By days end I had three quarters of the bed planted to the turmeric. I mixed the planting with the living green stems, old rhizomes and tubers. The season for growing the turmeric is very near its end so I am hoping that it gets to stabilize before it goes into dormancy for winter. Hopefully come next season at least fifty percent survives.
Tom
©2016 Tom Kendall; permeco.org, incorporating Permaculture Research Institute Sunshine Coast, simplicity, permaculture, self reliance and homesteading, gardening turmeric compost.
I hope it does survive, although I don’t see why not. Perhaps it will need a year to get over the shock of being moved?