***Turmeric***
(Curcuma longa)
• Full Sun, Pot Suitable, Culinary Uses, and Essential Oil.
• Ideal Soil: Rich and well-drained
• Parts Used: Rhizomes
• Medicinal: Fresh or dried for liver, digestion, and circulation issues.
• Culinary: Essential ingredient in curry powder and Asain dishes.
A member of the ginger family, turmeric is renowned for its musky taste and peppery frangrance. It has been used for centuries to dye the robes of Buddhist monks.
A source of yellow-orange dye, dried turmeric root is also used as a food colorant.
Fleshly green and pink bracts sit atop 4-6 inches [10-15 cm] long spikes and surround pale yellow blossoms.
GROWING GUIDELINES:
Propagate by root division when dormant or by sown seed in fall. Grow in a greenhouse and water well; keep dry in winter.
Growth Habit: Perennial; height to 3 feet [90 cm].
Flowers: Late spring to midsummer; pale yellow blossoms.
HARVESTING AND STORING:
Lift rhizomes during the dormant period. Boil or steam, then dry and grind.
***Lemongrass***
(Cymbopogon citratus)
• Full Sun, Pot Suitable, Culinary Uses, Tea, and Essential Oil.
• Ideal Soil: Oragnic-rich and well-drained.
• Parts Used: Leaves, stems, and oil.
• Medicinal: Digestive problems, scabies, ringworm, and head lice.
• Culinary: Flavoring for food; as a tea.
This clump-forming perennial has slim, grassy foliage and provides a contrast to broad-leaved garden herbs. Use it in cooking or as a soothing tea.
Use the white base of leaves in Southeast Asain style cuisine, especially with meat and fish.
Lemonegrass is also knkwn as oilgrass and West Indian Lemon.
Individual leaves regularly die off; this is normal and there's no need to remove dead foliage.
GROWING GUIDELINES:
Propagate by division of older plants in late spring. Trim the leaves to several inches before dividing.
Growth Habit: Perennial; height to 6 feet [1.8 m].
Flowers: Seldom flowers
HARVESTING AND STORING:
Snip fresh foliage as needed. Harvest larger amounts in summer; dry quickly to maximize flavor.
