Blog readers will know that from time to time Matron likes to try growing something exotic. I have tried lemon grass, pineapple and sugar cane, and now I am seeing if I can grow
turmeric.![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSa2DBzgATwgVZgkZpkKcIkEW7txZejs9cNs4iE_PUFRt108ErxInzcjzGL4Mg7JWd5j_MbCRjCpojt1A4USUafti8CrzZdeExfI5OBnVH1H6sZ5q1cn4Jo9MrEeFyLoxalqrcQ/s400/DSC09792.JPG)
Today in the post I received a gift from the
DimSumGardener . This is
fresh turmeric, a relative of ginger which is the yellow powder commonly used in Asian cooking. These little roots have quite a few good growing points so I am hopeful that they might grow for me under the right conditions.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmNedRrxBaGWdOPkllE2lIUP8fAbpZ8nduAate-BP5h1qABQ8SX06YOBcdZiHAaJfwSPdKCwSfYtZVJmizD3sAygoiPtsSP04sXXk91VNGEF95b5-CzsR2hDqgjcEY3YpLow4ig/s400/DSC09793.JPG)
A quick check on google for propagation tips, then I planted them in a pot of seed compost in a heated propagator loosely covered with a plastic bag to keep some of the moisture in. I am really looking forward to seeing these grow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjcgo6U6OKRdL8cZUCixz6Em9czp0UOtyiiaI2MJX-yAhiR2jzJCE9ls4Oxgig_dTmGNOFphKRYzybsBlfi2Gma0WoIM72-WrtUrzpLngDMclj1C9BvCDhAit9AQc-TvN3Zhs1g/s400/DSC09794.JPG)
Another kind gift from a fellow blogger last year was these
Colossal leek seeds. A heritage variety from the heritage seed library at
garden organic. I am a bit late sowing these, but they should be big enough to go into the ground in the Summer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5ls_QX56ouwOd4VKENxTrMJhwoSpnvJ_TP0-kKR6EgmoGKFqWc8e8p3Y1eNMtEH55PXOtPeGxCXosDOOePMZr4Ielxd0yt2wRDRvqWYnrpNHJ8cOInL1RP0YOzr0nGHfXCnnLw/s400/DSC09795.JPG)
Here is the latest update on my
sugar cane. I repotted the shallow tray into a larger container this weekend. The roots had developed really well and were well and truly ready for potting on. Looking good!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZUb93wVNBVv-axe4jri8wVfJ4PJiCpUNFCCm3QC4k4GyTriUUlD_qkwDSw5NUm-UeFqQKpSMij8M6_A61gEE_vOkmOA4HO7VB2suc20_ZbfmP9lVgTrQyEywI5DjJmVY4lSKAA/s400/DSC09796.JPG)
I spent some time this weekend clearing out the greenhouse and potting up my
indoor tomatoes. I think that tomatoes do better for me in large pots in the greenhouse rather than in a growbag or an automated watering system. Pots or ring cultures give the tomato much more room to grow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakcB6STReriFou10NaHhiDRsHvmQvGpAl1bys_SOKuRf55cyd09J6xQ_XzklY_AqLQr968J9k6RO6mWgS7oozpnHNFhqpR1uAeIArUjuaJfU02iJnygI2InUEyRkq-k3WMBCyuw/s400/DSC09797.JPG)
In one growbag I have put 3 ring cultures on top so that these tomatoes have a bit more space. Both growbag and pots are placed in a plastic tray to catch spare water. These tomato plants have their first truss of flowers, so I am beginning to feed them with a diluted high potash feed to help the fruits develop nicely.