Turmeric plants for home gardens. Really it is one of the must have plants, that we can grow very easily. The plant can thrive well in tropical regions, preferably in Kerala and other South Indian states. In many parts of the world, this spice is widely used for adding colour and flavour to dishes.
Moreover, it is one of the main ingredients for making herbal medicines, particularly in Ayurveda. Modern medical science also approves the vast possibilities of utilising curcumin, the chemical component present in turmeric. Especially, for the treatment of a lot of minor ailments, as well as life threatening diseases.
In general, this wonderful plant has got an important place in our day-to-day life.
Usually, we buy the powdered and processed rhizomes of turmeric plants, for various purposes. But we can use raw turmeric, that is equally useful to us in many ways. Different combinations of raw turmeric, are effective home remedies for a number of health issues.
Given below are a few examples, that you can try easily:
1. Sinusitis and nasal congestion: add a few pieces of crushed raw turmeric in boiling water, and inhale the vapour for a few seconds.
Surely you will get a faster relief from the discomfort.
2. Facial hair removal: apply the paste made of raw turmeric, honey and rice flour on your face. Let it remain on your face for about ten to fifteen minutes. Then wash it off with cold water.
Repeat the same process daily, for better results.
3. Skin whitening: a mixture of turmeric paste, milk cream and gram flour can remove black spots, pimple scars etc.
4. Insect bites: a paste of raw turmeric made along with the juice of holy basil plant, is an effective remedy for insect bites.
Remember that, raw turmeric may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Truly it is very easy for you to grow a few turmeric plants in your home garden, either directly in soil or in pots. Here, I will try to share with you the simple tips, to grow your own.
Propagation of turmeric plants in home gardens
Definitely, we can use cuttings of mature rhizomes of turmeric plants. There should be at least two or three nodes for each rhizome, that we use for propagation. Always remember to select good quality seed rhizomes, that are not treated with any kind of anti-sprout agents.Growing turmeric plants in raised beds.
For growing turmeric plants directly in soil, first we have to prepare garden beds. Preferably with height, length and width in the ratio 1:5:3 feet. Generally, most of the plants from the ginger family including turmeric, are shade loving. Hence select a place with indirect sunlight, for making the soil bed.
Meanwhile, make the garden bed by mixing leaf compost or dried cow dung along with loose garden soil.
After that make small pits, about three inches deep, with an inter space of 20 to 25 cms. Then plant the seed rhizomes in the pits, and cover it with soil. Also you can put some mulch over the bed, for retaining moisture.
Never forget to water your turmeric plant bed on a daily basis. Certainly, the seed rhizomes begin to sprout within a few weeks.
Care your turmeric plants properly, by weeding occasionally, and adding some diluted organic manure at intervals of about six weeks. Usually it takes a period of eight to ten months, for the turmeric plants to mature.
When the leaves start drying and drooping, it is time for you to harvest your turmeric. For this, just pull the plant out of soil along with rhizomes, and remove the leaves and stems. Finally collect the rhizomes, and wash it in running water to remove the soil.
Never forget to keep a few healthy seed rhizomes, for future use.
Pot planting – for growing Turmeric plants in home gardens.
You can use terracotta pots for growing turmeric plants. In addition, prepare a well drained growing medium in the following ratio.
River sand 40%
Garden soil 20%
Organic manure 20%
Coco peat 10%
Neem seed powder 10%
Fill 3/4 of the pot with the medium. Then you can repeat the same steps, as that followed for growing turmeric plants in raised beds.
Remember, turmeric is a perennial plant and hence you can keep it longer in your home garden. Undoubtedly, it will be a wonderful experience, to use fresh turmeric from your own garden, especially at times of urgency.
Keeping the above points in mind, try to grow at least a few turmeric plants in your home garden. 
