I've grown ginger before, but I'm a complete newbie to turmeric. Accordingly, I have a whole bunch of questions! When I plant my turmeric rhizomes, which I have already bought, how deep do the roots go? I suspect they don't need a lot of depth. Maybe someone can fill me in on this point? I also read a lot how to cook turmeric and turn it into a powder. Is it ever eaten fresh? If the leaves and flowers are equally edible, are there recipes for this? Do they have to be cooked first? I've been reading up on it, and I know that turmeric is a very tender tropical, so here in Connecticut, it will come inside and be dormant for the winter. Tips on culture and use will be greatly appreciated--thanks! --Rick in CT

You should be fine, I grow turmeric and ginger in my house in Massachusetts. when I want some I pull up the entire plant, clip off some of the newer growth and dispose of the older growth, then put it back and give it a month or two to "heal" and regrow. Just make sure not to over-water it, it likes warm moist soil but too much water can give it root rot. Also leave some of the new growth to re-establish to replace the old that dies off.

I have several curcuma and globba gingers in pots due to armadillas digging stuff up. They like to eat my ginger bulbs. Anyhow, rihjt before our first freeze, I let the pots totally dry out and when the foliage dries up I clip it off and put the pots in a shed over the winter. It stays above freezing in the shed although Curcuma and Globbas can take some freezing temps. In late April, I take the pots out of the shed and set them in semi shade and water them. Pretty soon they start leafing out. You must just water them a little until they leaf out. You dont want the pots soggy or they will rot. Been doing it this way for about 5 years now :)

You can grow from grocery store roots but not ideal....many times these are treated with a growth inhibitor that prevents sprouting. And the sprouting is exactly what needs to happen if you want to grow it as a plant in order to harvest fresh ginger :-) (Turmeric is just a dfferent type of ginger). When selecting for grocery store roots, you want to look for plump roots with taut skin...no shriveling or softness. And hopefully with several eyes or growth points - even better if they are already green or sprouting. Soak overnight to fully hydrate and to remove as much of whatever hormones or pesticides the roots may have been treated with. There are many sources online that will indicate how to plant and care for these but essentially you want to care for them just as you would any other tropical houseplant - out of drafts, with reasonable warmth and bright but indirect light. Keep moist. How to grow ginger indoors.