How to Grow Rosemary Herb
Perennial, Rosemarinus Officinalis
With thin, dark green leaves and pale blue flowers, Rosemary is a popular
and attractive herb. It is an evergreen shrub, that grows up to 3-6 feet
Rosemary plants are members of the mint family. They grow wild in the
Mediterranean region. It is a perennial in warm areas. It is susceptible
to frost and therefore, is grown as an annual in many parts of the country.
Young plants can be grown like houseplants until they get big. Then, move
them outside to their permanent summer home. They will look and grow well
in your garden, or along the house.
Try growing Rosemary in big containers on your deck.
Did You Know? Rosemary are good companions with plants from the cabbage
family. It protects them from pests. More on
Rosemary bushes are started from seed. The seed is hard to start.
Soak Rosemary seeds in water a few hours before planting. We recommend
starting indoors on propagation mats, to improve germination success. Start
seed indoors six weeks before the last frost.
If you want to grow and enjoy them as houseplants, start them indoors even
earlier. After they sprout, place them in a warm, sunny window.
When transplanting outdoors, space plants three feet or more apart. In warm
areas where there is no frost or freezes, pick a place where the plant can
grow for many years.
Days to germination: 15-25
Plant height: 24-72 inches tall.
How to Grow Rosemary Shrubs:
Growing Rosemary plants is very easy. They prefer full sun to partial shade.
They will do well in almost any soil. They tolerate dry soil conditions and
drought. They should not require water during droughts, but add water if
they appear to wilt. They usually do not require fertilizer, except for container
Once your Rosemary shrub reaches a couple of feet, don't hesitate to bring
out the shears and shape it. Be creative if you dare!
Harvest leaves and use fresh, as needed, in the summer. As autumn arrives,
harvest leaves in the morning, when the oils are at their peak. Spread leaves
out to dry in a cool, well ventilated area. Or, pick and freeze immediately.
If you are growing Rosemary in containers, you can overwinter plants in a
greenhouse in some areas.
Main Cooking Uses:
The leaves are used fresh, dried, or frozen in many recipes. It commonly
is used on meats (beef, chicken, ribs), stews, sauces, and soups.
Brew some fresh Rosemary in tea, adding a few fresh or dried leaves.
Rosemary herb has been used to treat both stomach aches and headaches.
It is also believed to aid in memory retention. I'm personally going to give
this a try. Now, if I can only remember where I stored my Rosemary......
The oil of Rosemary is used in perfumes and cosmetics. It has also been used
as a moth repellent.
How to Dry Herbs
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