Growing Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub with blue flowers. It is an aromatic and distinctive herb with a sweet, resinous flavor. This plant is ideal for a rock garden or the top of a dry stone wall. In warm areas with fair humidity, rosemary can grow into a shrub several feet in height. In fact, it grows so vigorously in ideal conditions that can become a bit of a burden, if not managed properly! 

This herb can be grown outdoors as a perennial shrub in Zones 7 and warmer. In colder areas, it should be kept in a pot and brought indoors for the winter.

Rosemary is often used for seasoning poultry, lamb, stews, and soups. It’s one of the best houseplants for your kitchen.



Planting


When to plant rosemary 

  • For a head start, plant the seeds or cuttings indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. Seeds can take a long time to germinate, so don’t give up right away!

Choosing and preparing a planting site

  • Plant in full sun.
  • The planting site should have well-draining soil. Rosemary won’t tolerate being consistently wet.
  • Be sure to give your plants enough room to grow. It can grow to about 4 feet tall and spreads about 4 feet as well.
  • In the garden, plant near basil, cabbage, dill and sage

How to plant rosemary 

  • Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil. For best growth, the soil should be around 70ºF (21°C).

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Care


How to grow plant rosemary 

  • Water the plants evenly throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater.
  • Prune regularly so that the plant won’t get lanky.
  • For fresh rosemary in the winter, grow the plant indoors in a pot. Be sure to put it in bright light and protect it from cold drafts.
  • After the rosemary flowers, remember to trim the plant.
  • Be sure to get cuttings or divide the plant for next season if it won’t survive winter in your area.



Pests/Diseases


  • Aerial blight
  • Bacterial leaf spots
  • Several types of root rot

Harvest/Storage


How to harvest rosemary 

  • Snip off stems to use fresh, or hang them in the kitchen for dried rosemary.
  • During the winter, bring potted rosemary plants inside.
  • Harvest young stems and leaves for the freshest taste.
  • Harvest up to a third of the rosemary at any one time, allowing the plant to replace its growth before taking more.

How to store plant rosemary 

  • Air-dry sprigs of rosemary and store in an airtight container in the cupboard.

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