Rosemary
Rosemary is a perennial evergreen
shrub with blue flowers. It is an aromatic and distinctive herb with a sweet,
resinous flavor. Here’s how to grow your own rosemary plants.
Rosemary is ideal for a rock
garden or the top of a dry wall. It is often used for seasoning poultry, lamb,
stews, and soups.
PLANTING
For a head start, plant the seeds
or cuttings indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. See your local
frost dates.
Plant the seeds/cuttings in
well-drained soil. For best growth, the soil should be around 70ºF.
Be sure to give your plants
enough room to grow. Rosemary grows to about 4 feet tall and spreads about 4
feet as well.
In the garden, plant near beans,
cabbage, carrots, and sage. Learn more about companion planting with herbs.
CARE
After the rosemary plant flowers,
remember to trim the plant.
For fresh rosemary in the winter,
grow the plant indoors in a pot. Be sure to put it in bright light and cool
temperatures.
Prune regularly so that the plant
won’t get lanky.
Water the plants evenly
throughout the growing season.
Be sure to get cuttings or divide
the plant for next season.
PESTS/DISEASES
Aerial blight
Bacterial leaf spots
Several types of root rot
HARVEST/STORAGE
Prune the stems to use fresh.
During the winter, bring rosemary
plants inside. Learn how to overwinter rosemary indoors.
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.
You can dry the leaves as well
and store in an airtight container.
WIT & WISDOM
Rosemary tea is said to enhance
one’s memory.