HARVESTING TURMERIC

This was our neglected raised bed in our back yard.

Actually, this patch was for turmeric.

The leaves turned yellowish.

Look... the turmeric roots were popping up...

Finally, I pulled out all of the poor plants.

Remove all of the soil and dirt.

Then washed them...

Ready for fresh turmeric root stock.
Thanks GOD

'HARVESTING' TURMERIC

These are great roots that we got from our raised bed several days ago.
We had to reload or pulled out these plants when they weren't ready to be harvested.... too young.

Yes, they pulled out when we reload the old raised bed.

We got two varieties of turmeric.
They are Kunyit or Common turmeric (Curcuma domestica) and Temu putih or White turmeric (Curcuma zedoria).
common Turmeric is mostly used on cooking and also medicinal purpose.
But 'Temu putih' or white turmeric is only used for medicinal purpose.
The plants were almost similar each other.
Both of them have same foliage and also their flowers. 
The differences are on the size of the leaves and also the root.

The red circled was white turmeric and the yellow circled is common turmeric.
Turmeric has yellow root/rhizome and also smaller foliage.

The white turmeric has bigger foliage, the root is grey-white color and also has balloon roots.

I think I have to replanting these plants soon.

HARVESTING THE FRESH HOMEGROWN TURMERIC

A poor plant with yellowish green leaves on the raised bed was interesting me.

Oh yeah, that was our kunyit or turmeric (Curcuma domestica).

We can check the early planting period here.

Nine months after planting is harvesting time.

From five rhizomes that grown, two plants have rotten and died.

One plant grow poorly, one plant was harvested early.

And this is the last, the best one.

The plant matures naturally.

The yellowish-withered leaves is a sign that the root is ready to be harvested.

Using fork, prying the soil and pull out the plant.

Clean it, washing on the flowing water.

Cut the roots...

Brushing the rhizome to remove the soil. 

Clean turmeric root is ready...

Turmeric is one of the main spices in Indonesian culinary.
This rhizome is also used for medicinal purposes.
Thanks GOD...