3. Good Organic Gardening - May-June 2016 AvxHome.in

Turmeric | POWER PLANT
just as an ornamental. It grows taller than
ginger and has finger-like rhizomes, which
are the parts of the plant used in cooking
and medicinally.
Turmeric needs fertile, well-drained soil
and will be happy in full sun or part shade. It
can be planted now or any time of the year
in tropical and subtropical regions but in cool
and temperate climates, you’ll need to wait
until spring to plant. It likes to be moist but if
it’s too wet for too long, the rhizomes will rot.
You can grow it from a shop-bought piece
of turmeric root and, as with ginger, bury it
about 10cm deep and, if planting more than
one, keep them at least 30cm apart. Feed
with manure or liquid fertiliser during the
growing period.
Harvesting
The finger-shaped rhizomes should be
ready for harvesting about nine months after
planting. You’ll know they are mature enough
when the lower leaves start to turn yellow
and the stems become dry. You can either
harvest the whole clump or dig very carefully
around the edges and just take what you
need, as you need it.
Using
Turmeric is usually dried and ground but it
can be used fresh as well. Sun-drying is the
traditional method, but if you have a food
dehydrator it makes the job easy. You can
slice the root before drying and, once dry,
store in air-tight jars until you need to grind
it to a powder, which can be done in a food
processor. Make sure you pulse it, though, so
it doesn’t heat up and lose nutrients.
Turmeric leaves are often used in
Malaysian cuisine for cooking fish. As with
banana leaves, the fish is wrapped up like a
parcel so the leaf flavour is imparted and the
fish is kept moist.
Golden Milk
Golden milk is an Ayurvedic remedy used
to treat arthritis and other inflammatory
conditions, including colds and sore throats.
It’s traditionally made with cow’s milk but you
can use soy, rice, almond, oat or coconut milk
if you prefer. You can also add other spices,
such as cloves and cardamom. If a cup of
milk is not to your taste, add the paste to a
smoothie or to yoghurt. Some people even
take the paste straight from a spoon. Note:
turmeric stains, so handle it carefully.
Turmeric Paste
¼ cup turmeric powder
½ cup pure water
In a small pot, simmer the turmeric and
water for 5–10 minutes, stirring to dissolve
it into a thick paste. Allow to cool and
transfer to a clean jar and store in the fridge
for 2–3 weeks.
Golden Milk
1 cup milk of your choice
1 tsp turmeric paste
1 tsp almond oil
Honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)
Heat but don’t boil the milk. Add the
turmeric paste and stir for a minute or two.
Remove from the heat and add the oil. Add
sweetener if desi red.
Golden Milk
ALLOWED INPUT 456AI
®
MAKE YOUR
GARDEN THE
ULTIMATE
WELLNESS
TOOL
Experience a chemical-free cal-
ee backyard with
superb food, shrubs, lawns and flowers.
The farmers’ secret is out. Next-generation organic
fertilisers, previously reserved for large scale
agricultural enterprises, are now available to all.
Visit nutritiongardening.com.au or call 07 5472 9900 & use promo code ‘goodorganic’ for 20% off*
*Limited time only. While stocks last.
Good Organic Gardening | 21