GARDENING: ‘WHEN CAN I PLANT TURMERIC?’ |
Q. I am from Islamabad and a regular reader of your column. I want to know if I can plant turmeric in large pots during this rainy season. If not, when would be the best time to plant it? Also, what care do turmeric plants need while growing?
A. Turmeric, locally known as haldi, needs warm conditions to grow and generally takes seven to 10 months to mature. For home gardening, it is best grown from healthy rhizomes — the underground, ginger-like stems from which new plants develop. Starting from rhizomes is the easiest and most practical method, as turmeric is rarely grown from seed.
In Islamabad, the best time to plant turmeric is during spring, preferably from late March to May. However, you may still plant it during the current warm and humid monsoon season. Since August planting is later than ideal, the turmeric will have less time to develop its rhizomes before winter temperatures arrive.
The rainy season itself is not a problem, provided the potting medium drains well. Turmeric likes consistent moisture but does not tolerate waterlogging, so use a large pot with adequate drainage holes and never allow the potting medium to become waterlogged. As........