The Turmeric and Health Newsletter for November 2025
- Alison Carroll
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to my November Newsletter.
I hope that you are fit and well. I was at a meeting a few days ago and someone gleefully announced that it was now only 70 days to Christmas – this was roundly met with a groan from all those present!! Things will start to get busy for me and I’m sure the same can be said for many people. So, please don’t forget to take your turmeric, not only can it help with aches and pains making everything so much easier to cope with, but it can also help with any stress and anxiety that you may be experiencing.
A great way to combat stress and anxiety, is to get outside into nature, and gardening is a wonderful way to spend time outside, get some exercise and to be productive, whether that simply a beautiful flower garden or something more like a veggie garden. I have been growing turmeric in posts for some years now, for many of those years it produced lots of leaves but no flowers, then one year an “escapee” found its way into a pot that I had in full sun, and it exploded in the most beautiful flowers. So, now I know to keep my turmeric pots in lots of sunshine. Unlike my poor May bush that is suffering and once we get some decent rain, I will have to move it to a shadier spot. One thing about gardening, is that there is always something to do. That will be especially true this year as I have created a couple of raised veggie beds in my back garden- with me luck!
So you can learn from my mistakes, I have done an article on growing turmeric, so you can grow some for yourself and see the wonderful flowers that they produce. Enjoy.
As mangos are now coming into the shops at a reasonable price, I thought that a great way to use them was to make a turmeric and mango smoothie, this really has the taste of summer in a glass. Quick and easy to make but packed with sunshine and goodness – what’s not to love about that?
Growing Turmeric in Australia
November is a key month for turmeric in Australia, whether for planting or harvesting. In frost-free or warmer climates, it's an ideal time to plant turmeric rhizomes, while in cooler regions, November can mark the end of the growing season and time for harvesting and storing before the first frost.
Now I can almost hear you, saying why would you tell us how to grow turmeric, won’t you do yourself out of a job? Well, no, many of you have asked me in the past because turmeric does grow well in Australia, especially in the warmer areas. However, there is a catch, the variety that grows so well here only has about a 2% curcumin, and the variety that we use has a 6% curcumin. That’s a big difference. I once did the calculation and if I remember correctly, I worded out that you would need to eat about 1kg of fresh Australian turmeric to equal one dose of my turmeric and since turmeric is a relative of ginger and very fibrous, I don’t think anyone is going to eat a kilo of it!!
For planting
Best time to plant: In warmer climates, November is a good time to plant turmeric rhizomes, as the soil is warming up. If you have them, the best pieces to grow are the conical "Mother" sections, but it will all grow.
Location: Choose a spot with full sun or part shade, ideally with well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
Warning: See below
Container growing: If you live in a cooler climate, it's best to grow turmeric in a large pot (at least 40 litres) and bring it indoors before the first frost.
Note: I always recommend planting turmeric in pots regardless of where you live, as turmeric is like mint, it will grow profusely, and you will never get rid of it. You have been warned.
For harvesting
Check for maturity: Turmeric rhizomes will be ready to harvest in 9 - 10 months after planting, but I go by the leaves turning yellow as a sign that the rhizomes are ready to harvest. In some regions, November is the month to do this, especially when the leaves have died back.
How to harvest: Gently dig up the outer rhizomes, leaving the main plant to regrow for the next season.
For colder climates: If you are in a region with frost, harvest your turmeric before the ground freezes. You can bring the whole plant inside or dig it up and store the rhizomes in a cool, dry place to replant in the spring.
How to use and store:
Fresh use: You can use fresh turmeric in cooking or make a turmeric latte or tea by grating the fresh rhizome with honey, lemon, and hot water or milk. Remember to use gloves if you don’t want yellow hands!!
Drying: To make dried turmeric powder, clean the rhizomes, slice them thinly, and dry them in a low oven (around 60⁰C) until they are brittle. Store the powder in an airtight container.
Winter storage: Store harvested rhizomes in a cool, dry place to prevent them from freezing, and save some to replant in the spring.
Turmeric and Mango Smoothie
The Ultimate Refreshing Drink for Summer
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups fresh Mango - or frozen if fresh is not available
½ cup orange juice – freshly squeezed is wonderful
1 raw carrot - chopped or shredded.
¼ cup cashews, soaked for a least 1 hour or preferably overnight
1½ - 2 cups coconut water
1 teaspoon Health2all turmeric
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger – optional but adds a great zing.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Simply put all the ingredients together in a blender and blitz until smooth and creamy. If you are using fresh mango, you might like to add some ice cubes to cool it down. Yummy, great on a summer’s morning – or any time!!
Enjoy. 😊
THIS MONTH’S MARKETS AND EVENTS
Fingers crossed that the weather continues to play nice this month. I’m very happy for rain for the garden through the week, but I’m even happier if it stays dry over the weekend, especially if the breeze is light. I hope to see you out and about this month.
Saturday 1st Nov – Kempsey Market - 9am – 1pm. Held up in the carpark by the river. We should be fine up there. so do come a long for a great day out. No sure where I am but you know the routine by now.
Sunday 2nd Nov – Blackhead Bazaar – 8am – 1pm. Held in the Wylie Breckenridge Park. Fingers crossed that we get another lovely day. I will be in my usual spot, so look out for my bright orange gazebo.
Saturday 8th Nov - Gloucester Farmers Market - 9am – 12pm. Held at Billabong Park. Do come along for this lovely market with lots of great local produce and wines.
Sunday 9th Nov – Forster Town Market – 8am – 1pm – Held on the green off Head Street. Great little market. Something for everyone.
Saturday – 15th Nov - Forster Farmers Market – 7am – 12pm Along the river by the Police Station. We are now back in our old spot where the Visitors Centre and the CWA used to be. Getting bigger and better all the time. I was away last month so it’s good to be back.
Sunday 16th Nov – Laurieton Market - 8am – 1pm down by the river on Short and Tunis Streets. Hopefully this month it will be calm and sunny, like it was last month.
Saturday 22nd Nov – Tuncurry Market – 8 am – 1pm - I will see you over the bridge at the John Whiley Park. Plenty for the whole family and Marine Rescue do a great bacon and egg butty.
Sunday 23rd Nov – Old Bar Market – 8am – 1pm. Held down by the beach next to the skate park. It’s ages since I have been able to come to this market, so I’m looking forward to being back. Not sure where I will be, but my orange gazebo is hard to miss. Hope to see you there.
Saturday 29th Nov – currently, nothing is booked in, but you never know what may pop up.
Sunday 30th Nov – Pacific Palms Market - 8am – 1pm. At Elizabeth Beach, another great market for all the family and dog friendly, so come along for a fun day out.
For those of you who can’t get to those markets all you need to do is ring me or Nan - if you ring whilst I'm away, on 0406 036 845 or you can now go to my website – www.achealthysolutions.com.au and order from there, and I will arrange for it to be posted or delivered to you. The cost is the same as at the market and postage/delivery is free on all orders over $100 with a flat rate of $10 below that.
To your happiness & health,
Alison Carroll
aka The Turmeric Lady
AC Healthy Solutions
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