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How does rosemary grow


How to Grow Rosemary Plants

The Mediterranean herb, rosemary, requires attention to soil and water conditions. In warmest areas, it grows into a large evergreen shrub.

Rosemary is a woody-stemmed plant with needle-like leaves that can commonly reach 3 feet in height, eventually stretching to 5 feet in warmer climates unless clipped. In zone 8 and farther south, rosemary bushes make a good evergreen hedge. In zone 7 and colder, try growing rosemary in a container you can bring inside in cold weather. You can even train rosemary into topiary shapes. Plants are tolerant of salt spray, making them a good choice for pots on the beach.

With the right soil and water conditions, rosemary can grow into a large evergreen hedge in warm areas. Placed along a path or border, it wafts a soothing minty aroma to those who pass by.

Quick Guide to Growing Rosemary

Soil, Planting, and Care

Set out rosemary in spring, planting starter plants 2 to 3 feet apart; you can also plant in fall in zone 8 and south. Choose strong, vigorous Bonnie Plants® rosemary to get your garden off to a great start—after all, Bonnie has spent over a century helping home gardeners successfully grow their own food. Plants are slow growing at first, but pick up speed in their second year.

Rosemary prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Improve your existing soil by adding a few inches of aged compost-enriched Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil and mixing it in with the top layer. Potted rosemary needs a lighter-weight soil mix, so fill containers with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix instead. Keep the soil uniformly moist, allowing it to dry out between waterings. Mulch your plants to keep roots moist in summer and insulated in winter, but take care to keep mulch away from the crown of the plant. In the spring, prune dead wood out of the plants.

For best growth, it's not enough just to start with rich, nutritious soil. You'll also want to feed rosemary regularly throughout the season with a plant food that feeds both your plants and the soil, like Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (following the directions on the label).

Troubleshooting

Whiteflies, spider mites, scale, and mealybugs can all bother rosemary, as can powdery mildew and root rot, particularly in humid regions. To prevent mildew and rot, be sure your plants enjoy good drainage and air circulation. In zone 7 and northward, extreme cold will kill the tops of the rosemary plant. In areas where it is likely to be hurt by winter, plant in a protected spot such as one near a south-facing masonry wall and away from the prevailing winter wind; also mulch to protect the roots. In zone 8 and farther south, rosemary needs no winter protection.

Harvest and Storage

Cut stems at any time for fresh rosemary. To dry rosemary, use a rack or hang it upside down in bunches to dry. Once stems are dry, strip the leaves from them. You can also freeze rosemary sprigs, preserve them in vinegar, or use them to flavour oil or butter.

Uses

While rosemary blends well with other herbs, use it lightly on its own in lamb, pork, chicken, and veal dishes, as well as in soups and stews, vegetables, and sauces. Rosemary provides a wonderful flavour in breads and makes a good marinade with olive oil, wine, and garlic. Rosemary's aromatic qualities also enhance a bath, bouquet, wreath, or sachet.

When cutting rosemary, cut into the tender stems instead of the woody lower branches.Rosemary, olive oil, and a dash of sea salt make the perfect simple dip for fresh bread.

FAQs

Will rosemary grow with the other herbs in my herb garden?

Unlike most herbs that live for only one season, rosemary is an evergreen shrub in zone 8 and farther south. For that reason, you should choose a location where it can continue to grow for years to come. It thrives in a sunny, well-drained location where it will reach up to 3 feet tall and wide. You can place it near the gate to your vegetable garden or as part of your home landscape. Because it is so fragrant when touched, it is a nice addition near a sidewalk or porch.

What is rosemary's temperature tolerance?

Our rosemary is dependably hardy in USDA zone 8 and southward, which means in areas in which the temperature does not go below 10 to 15 degrees. If you live in zone 7, plant in a protected location, such as near a south-facing masonry wall, to provide added warmth on cold nights.

Can I trim rosemary anytime, or is there a recommended time?

As with any culinary herb, you should cut fresh, flavorful foliage whenever you need it. Plants do well with a heavy pruning anytime from early spring to midsummer. Try not to cut into stems that are dark and woody; these are less likely to sprout new growth than the younger wood. Remember that rosemary will never have a perfectly round silhouette, because it is the nature of the plant to have upright stems. However, the overall habit of the plant can be thicker with pruning to encourage branching.

I grew rosemary in a large pot and left it out over the winter. Should I cut the plant back or wait for new growth?

Early spring before growth begins is a good time to prune any evergreen, and that includes rosemary. Remove any dead, leafless stems first, and then prune to improve the shape of the plant. Avoid cutting stems that are very old, as they may not sprout new shoots are readily as younger stems. However, if your plant is nicely shaped and you are happy for it to continue growing larger, remember that pruning is not a necessity. Note: when rosemary is grown in a container, do not let it dry to the point of wilting. It may not recover.

Cool Season Gardening Harvesting Herbs Holidays Rosemary

How to Grow Rosemary: Planting, Cuttings, & Care

The rosemary plant (Salvia rosmarinus) is a fragrant herb that grows as a perennial rounded evergreen shrub. It features slender, needle-like, gray-green leaves on erect woody stems. And it produces clusters of small, light blue to white flowers typically in the late spring to early summer, though it can bloom at other points of the year as well. Plant rosemary in the spring after any threat of frost has passed. You can grow rosemary indoors, too, though it will grow quite large. The shrub has a moderate growth rate and spreads when planted.

Common Name Rosemary
Botanical Name Salvia rosmarinus
Family Lamiaceae
Plant Type Herb, perennial
Size 2–6 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type Sandy, loamy, well-drained
Soil pH Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time Spring, summer
Hardiness Zones 8–10 (USDA)
Native Area Mediterranean

Watch Now: How to Grow and Care for Rosemary

How to Plant Rosemary

When to Plant

Rosemary is best planted in the spring once the weather has warmed and there’s no frost in the forecast. Containers indoors generally can be started at any time of year.

Selecting a Planting Site

Rosemary grows best in a sunny spot that has soil with sharp drainage. Make sure no taller trees or shrubs in the area are so close that they will shade the rosemary. Rosemary also grows well in containers both outdoors and indoors, as long as it can get enough light.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Space rosemary shrubs at least 2 to 3 feet apart. Plant seedlings and nursery plants at the same depth at which they were growing in their previous container. Seeds should be just barely covered with soil when planting. A support structure is typically not necessary for this shrub.

Rosemary Plant Care

Light

Rosemary likes full sun and does not tolerate shade. This means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growth, and grow lights are often necessary to provide supplemental light. Bring indoor plants outside in warm weather to allow them access to natural sunlight. Inadequate light can cause leggy and weak growth.

Soil

A well-draining sandy or loamy soil is best for rosemary. It doesn’t grow well in heavy clay and wet soils. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal (6.0 to 7.0).

Water

Rosemary shrubs have good drought tolerance once they are mature, and it’s better to underwater rather than overwater them. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings, and then water so that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.

Temperature and Humidity

This shrub likes warm weather and moderate humidity levels. Most rosemary varieties can’t survive temperatures below 30 degrees, but they have good heat tolerance. They prefer temperatures between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. Moreover, high humidity can lead to rot and fungal issues, especially if there isn’t enough air circulation around the plant.

Fertilizer

Rosemary is not a heavy feeder. Mixing compost into the soil at the time of planting can help to give the shrub a healthy start. Then, using a balanced liquid fertilizer, following label instructions, will continue to promote quality growth.

Pollination

Rosemary shrubs self-pollinate and attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. Bring indoor plants outdoors in warm weather when their flowers are open to allow the blooms to naturally pollinate. 

Leticia Almeida / The Spruce 

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Leticia Almeida / The Spruce

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Types of Rosemary

There are several types of rosemary to grow, including:

Rosemary vs. Lavender

Rosemary and lavender are similar in appearance. Both are shrublike with woody stems, and they feature aromatic leaves that are long and thin. However, rosemary plants generally grow larger than lavender. Rosemary blooms form among the foliage while lavender blooms rise above the foliage on flower spikes. And lavender has a lighter and more floral taste and aroma than rosemary.

Harvesting Rosemary

Rosemary can be harvested at almost any time of year, though spring and summer are when it grows most actively. And the leaves are most flavorful and aromatic just before the plant blooms. To harvest, use pruners to cut off 4- to 6-inch stem tips.

Use fresh rosemary sprigs or leaves in cooking as you like. Or hang the stems upside-down in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area for drying, which should take a couple of weeks. Once the stems are dry, strip off the leaves and keep them in an airtight container in a pantry.

How to Grow Rosemary in Pots

Growing rosemary in pots allows you to bring it indoors during cold weather. You also can keep containers on a patio or deck near your kitchen for easy access while cooking. Select a pot that’s slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. Make sure it has drainage holes. An unglazed clay container is best to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls. 

Pruning

Prune rosemary as necessary to shape its growth after the plant is done flowering. Rosemary responds well to pruning and can be trained into topiary shapes. But don’t prune off more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the shrub and leave it vulnerable to diseases and pests. 

How to Grow Rosemary From Cuttings

If you would like to propagate your own rosemary plant, the best option is to start with a cutting. Not only is this an inexpensive way to get a new plant but taking cuttings from a mature plant can help to promote more branching and bushier growth. The best time to take a cutting is in the spring or summer. Here's how:

  1. Cut a piece of healthy stem that’s a few inches long. Choose new softwood growth for best results.
  2. Remove the leaves on the lower portion of the stem, leaving at least five leaves. 
  3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
  4. Plant the cutting in a moist soilless potting mix in a small container that has drainage holes.
  5. Place the container in a warm spot that has bright, indirect light. Mist the cutting daily, and make sure the growing medium doesn’t dry out.
  6. In about two to three weeks, gently tug on the stem to check for roots. If you feel resistance, you’ll know roots have developed. After that, the cutting is ready for transplanting.

How to Grow Rosemary From Seed

Growing rosemary from seeds can be difficult because they don't germinate easily and they often do not grow true to their parent plant. If you wish to try growing rosemary from seed, plant several more seeds than the number of plants you hope to grow. Start seeds around three months prior to your area’s projected last frost date in the spring. Take these steps:

  1. Scatter the seeds in a tray filled with moist seed-starting mix, just lightly covering them with the mix.
  2. Cover the tray with plastic wrap to trap moisture, and make sure the mix doesn’t dry out.
  3. Place the tray on a heat mat to keep the soil between 80 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. As soon as seedlings appear, remove the plastic wrap, and place the tray in bright light.
  5. Once seedlings are around 3 inches high, move them to individual pots or outdoors if the weather is warm.

Potting and Repotting Rosemary

Use a light, well-draining potting mix when growing rosemary in a container. Plan to repot every year into one container size up, using fresh potting mix. The best time to repot is in the spring. Gently loosen the plant from its previous container, and situate it at the same depth in the new one, filling around it with soil.  

Overwintering

Bring rosemary indoors well before any frost is predicted in the fall forecast. Keep it in a warm room and away from any drafts or drying air from heat vents. Continue providing it with at least six hours of sunlight per day via a bright window and/or grow light. And slightly back off on watering, though don’t allow the soil to fully dry out. Once frost is out of the forecast in the spring, the plant can go back outside.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

High humidity and poor air circulation can result in powdery mildew—a white, powdery fungus—on rosemary plants. Powdery mildew typically won't kill a plant, but the disease will weaken it. To prevent powdery mildew, make sure the plant's soil isn't too wet, and provide a few feet of space around it for airflow.

Also, be on the lookout for aphids and spider mites, especially on indoor plants. Use an insecticidal soap as soon as you spot an infestation to prevent it from spreading.

cultivation and care in the open field in the middle zone

The love of delicious food often develops into a passion for cooking. Cooking is a creative process, and therefore incredibly exciting. Unusual combinations of products give rise to new tastes, and spices play an important role in this.

In our traditional cuisine, dill and parsley are the main fragrant spices, lovers of Caucasian cuisine grow cilantro - most summer residents are limited to this simple set of herbs.

But there are enthusiastic culinary experts and lovers of experiments who cannot imagine their cuisine without savory, marjoram, rosemary, lemon balm, basil - all these seasonings can be bought in a mixture called Provence Herbs. But it is much more pleasant to grow them in your country house in order to have the pleasure of picking a fresh branch, inhaling its delicious aroma, chop juicy greens and add it to the dish.

Many summer residents annually grow basil, sow savory, have several types of mint or lemon balm on their plot. But few have mastered the cultivation of rosemary. This is due to the difficulties in caring for rosemary in the open field, and simply because people do not know how to cook it, do not understand what to do with it.

Rosemary in cooking

The smell of rosemary from habit seems too specific. It has something from eucalyptus and pine, sage and lavender. You need to be more careful with rosemary, it’s worth overdoing it a little - and the dish is spoiled, the taste becomes too tart, bitterness and a strong aroma of the “Christmas tree” appear.

But if you put it quite a bit - there is no better seasoning in the world. Lamb or pork roasted with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary is a delicious dish. Meat stew with the addition of rosemary becomes divinely delicious. Chicken or turkey turns into game.

Rosemary adds a Mediterranean touch to traditional dishes. Eggplants, tomatoes, asparagus beans, new potatoes - these vegetables go great with rosemary.

Rosemary is added when cooking broth instead of bay leaf. It is included in the so-called "garni bouquet" - a set of aromatic herbs that are put whole in the preparation of broths, soups, sauces, and marinating meat.

The traditional bouquet garni consists of young bay leaves, parsley and thyme. In Italy, France, Greece, each housewife makes it in her own way, adds tarragon and basil, oregano and rosemary, savory and sage.

A mixture of butter with fresh rosemary and parsley is used in the preparation of poultry: it is laid under the skin to make the meat more tender and fatty and give it a bright aroma.

It is nice to have a few rosemary bushes in the relaxation area, their aroma will remind you of the sea, the beach and the pleasant moments of your vacation. Rosemary is often used in aromatherapy. Olive oil infused with dry rosemary is used for massage. Rosemary tea has a calming effect, it is used for insomnia.

Rosemary looks like

In its natural environment, rosemary is a lush semi-shrub with powerful lignified shoots and a huge number of young twigs. Narrow rosemary leaves look like needles, their width is not more than 3 mm, the length of the leaf is up to 2.5-3.5 cm. They densely stick around the shoots. The lower part of the leaves is slightly pubescent, which gives them a silvery tint.

In the southern regions, rosemary blooms in April. Its flowers are small, located in the axils of the leaves, they abundantly cover the shoots, but do not represent a high decorative value. Rosemary blooms in blue-violet or blue flowers, there are varieties with white and pink flowers.

In the south, you can find prostrate rosemary everywhere, it spreads its branches in different directions, effectively falls apart, crawls out onto the path. Young bushes have a spherical crown; over the years, the lower part of the shoots becomes woody and bare. Due to the fact that prostrate rosemary grows in the “reclining” position, its height is small, 60-70 cm.

Rosemary seedlings, which can be purchased at garden centers, are mostly represented by varieties of a different type - rosemary officinalis, or ordinary. Rosemary officinalis forms compact bushes with vertical shoots. In the form of a bush, it resembles a lavender. In the south, plants can reach 1.5-2 m, in our climate they do not grow above 50-60 cm.

Open field, greenhouse or container?

Rosemary is grown outdoors as an annual crop. Rosemary winters only in the subtropics: in Sochi and in the Crimea. In the middle lane, you need to either dig up rosemary bushes, transplant them into a container and take them home for the winter, or harvest, and buy seedlings again next year.

In regions with rainy summers, it is better to take care of creating shelter from natural precipitation. A few bushes of rosemary can be planted in a greenhouse or grown as a container crop. Pots of rosemary can be placed along the path, in the relaxation area, to inhale its spicy aroma more often.

Rosemary can grow in pots, but not for long. The plant has a powerful root system, in natural conditions it extends to a depth of 2-3 m, it is clear that rosemary quickly becomes cramped in a pot.

Growing conditions for rosemary

It is not so difficult to grow rosemary on your site, but so far it is a rare guest in our gardens. Before you run to the garden center for seedlings, research the growing conditions for rosemary.

The name "rosemary" comes from the Latin words "ros marinus", which means "sea dew". Rosemary grows on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, under the bright sun of Italy and Greece. At the beginning of the 19th century, rosemary was brought to the Crimea, so this fragrant seasoning is now growing on the Black Sea coast.

Rosemary easily tolerates drought, is ready to put up with poor stony soils, withstands salty sea spray - in natural habitats, the plant is undemanding.

The climate of the middle lane is strikingly different from the Italian or Crimean, but if you try, you can create suitable conditions for growing rosemary in open ground.

Sun

First of all, the plant needs a lot of sun and heat. For planting rosemary, choose the sunniest site. It will be best for him at the southern wall of the house, where he will grow in calm from the north wind. Ideally, plant rosemary in the sun against a brick wall, during the day the brickwork will heat up and give off heat at night.

Sandy soil

The soil of the sea coast is poor in composition, but rich in sand and stones, and rosemary needs such soil. Chernozem will be too fat for him, and loam - too dense. Rosemary needs loose, air- and moisture-permeable soil. When preparing a landing hole on loams and chernozem, more sand, small pebbles or gravel are added to the soil. On light sandy soils, it is enough to add a little humus or compost to increase fertility.

Under natural conditions, rosemary grows on calcareous soils, so it is necessary to bring the acidity of the soil to neutral or slightly alkaline. Depending on the acidity of the soil in the area, dolomite flour, chalk or ash is added for planting rosemary.

Drain

Rosemary is ready to put up with drought, but he does not like our prolonged rains. It is extremely important that water does not stagnate in the roots of the plant. It is better to plant rosemary on a small hill - so the water will leave better, and the soil will warm up better.

When planting rosemary on clay soils and black soil, it is better to arrange a small drainage. To do this, a small layer of stones, rubble or broken bricks is poured onto the bottom of the landing hole.

When growing rosemary in a pot, be sure to put a layer of expanded clay or pebbles on the bottom as drainage. It is better to grow rosemary in pots made of unbaked clay, they "breathe", so the roots of plants in them rot less.

In order for rosemary to get more heat, it is good to mulch the soil under it with large pebbles. The stones will heat up in the sun, and give off their heat in the evening hours.

Watering

Rosemary is undemanding to watering, it is a southern plant that is accustomed to rare rains.

Only the first time after planting seedlings, you need to water them more often until they take root in a new place. It is enough to water the plants every 2-3 days. When rosemary seedlings begin to grow, you can switch to watering once every 1-2 weeks. If it rains periodically, rosemary may not be watered at all. Only in the heat will the plants need additional moisture.

Rosemary itself will tell you that it does not have enough water, or, conversely, there is too much water. If thin leaves-needles withered - this is a clear sign of lack of water. If the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, then overflow is evident.

When growing rosemary in pots, watering is carried out as the soil dries, no more than once a week. The top of the soil should have time to dry before the next watering. It is better to dry rosemary than to pour it. Excess moisture in the soil leads to root rot.

Top dressing

Rosemary is undemanding to nutrition. At the beginning of the growing season, you can feed the plants once with nitrogen fertilizers to stimulate their growth. Use a solution of ammonium nitrate or urea at the rate of 1 tbsp. on a bucket of water or organic nitrogen fertilizer: infusion of mullein, chicken manure or fermented grass. But do not get carried away with nitrogen fertilizers. This can cause root rot.

During the summer, it is enough to feed rosemary once a month with a complex fertilizer. Rosemary does not like a high nitrogen content in the soil, so it is better to use fertilizers with a minimum nitrogen content and high doses of phosphorus and potassium, for example, Healthy Aqua for Green Crops (N - 1%, P - 7.5%, K - 6, 9%). When grown in container culture, top dressing is carried out every 2 weeks.

Wintering rosemary

The biggest problem with growing rosemary outdoors is its low frost tolerance. In relation to the conditions of the middle lane, this can be called a complete lack of resistance to frost.

The plant is evergreen, it does not drop leaves and does not go into a dormant period. Naturally, with a slight minus, rosemary shoots freeze slightly, and at temperatures below -8-10 ° C, the plants die.

Even in the Crimea, rosemary is covered with spunbond if a cold snap is expected. Mature bushes can still withstand a short-term drop in temperature, young plants are more sensitive to frost.

During the summer, rosemary pots can be placed in a sunny spot, against a south wall, on a porch or terrace. City dwellers can keep rosemary on the south balcony. Nevertheless, this is a wild plant, it is difficult for him to be in the apartment all year round, for the summer it is necessary to expose the pots to fresh air.

During the winter, rosemary should be kept in a bright, cool room. In the apartment it will be too dark for him, even on the south window the plants will stretch, so additional lighting will be required throughout the winter.

It is ideal to keep rosemary pots on a cold terrace or insulated loggia, where the temperature does not drop below + 6-8 ° C. During this period, rosemary needs poor watering. Feeding is not carried out in winter.

As a compromise, in order not to buy new seedlings every year, you can take one rosemary bush home and use it for cuttings. Rosemary is excellent cuttings - this is the best way to propagate this fragrant plant.

Rosemary cuttings

For cuttings, it is best to use semi-lignified cuttings of rosemary. Ideally, you need to cut the tops of matured shoots and plant them immediately. So if you go to the sea in the summer, cut a few cuttings of rosemary on the last day of your vacation, in the south you can often find it in parks and gardens.

Experienced gardeners have gotten used to rooting rosemary cuttings bought at the supermarket in the seasoning department. This is quite real if you are lucky enough to buy fresh herbs. In any case, it's worth a try. Choose packages that are free from condensation and mold.

For rooting, small cuttings 5-7 cm long are enough. The lower cut needs to be refreshed, the leaves are removed from the bottom of the cutting, and the top is cut off. With a favorable outcome, several side shoots will go from the axils of the leaves and you will get a branched seedling. The lower part of the cutting is dipped in a root formation stimulator, you can use preparations "Kornevin" , "Kornestim" , "Heteroauxin" .

Soil

Root cuttings in deoxidized high-moor peat or a mixture of high-moor peat and sphagnum moss (it has bactericidal properties, so it will not allow the cuttings to rot). For rooting, you can also use fine agroperlite or coarse sand. The soil for rooting should be moderately moist.

So that the cuttings do not rot during the rooting process, the soil should not contain pathogenic microflora. For this reason, it is undesirable to use the earth for rooting, it always contains bacteria and fungi. Also, it's too thick. Sand has a good loose structure, but it is also a favorable environment for the reproduction of microorganisms.

If you use sand or soil for rooting, you must first ignite them in the oven or moisten and heat in the microwave for 20-30 minutes. This is an effective method of disinfection, but both harmful and beneficial microflora die. After calcination, such soil must be populated with soil bacteria. For this, the preparation 9 is added to the soil.0117 "Atlant. Helper bacteria" .

Instead of calcining or steaming the soil mixture, you can populate it with trichoderma or hay bacillus. These microorganisms successfully destroy pathogens. But you need to prepare the soil in advance, at least 2 weeks before the rooting of the cuttings, so that the microorganisms have time to multiply. To populate the soil with beneficial microflora, preparations "Trichoderma veride" or "Bacterra" with hay bacillus are used.

Mini greenhouse

In order for green cuttings not to lose turgor, it is necessary to reduce the loss of moisture through evaporation. To do this, build a mini-greenhouse. Several sticks are placed in a pot with cuttings and covered with a plastic bag. The package is fixed on the pot with an elastic band.

It is convenient to make mini-greenhouses for cuttings from bottles by cutting them into two parts. The lower part is filled with earth, and the upper part is used as a dome. If necessary, you can unscrew the bottle cap to ventilate. Transparent bottles are also good because you can see the appearance of roots.

Watering

For several weeks, while the rosemary cuttings take root, you do not need to additionally moisten the soil. If the pots are hermetically covered, then the moisture does not evaporate. Excessive dampness will only lead to rotting of the cuttings.

On the contrary, it is necessary to reduce humidity and remove condensate; for this, the cuttings are ventilated daily.

Temperature

Rosemary cuttings take root within 2-3 weeks at room temperature +18-22°C. Several cuttings can be planted in one container, and when they start growing, plant them in separate pots.

Growing rosemary from seeds

If this is your first time growing rosemary, the easiest way is to buy seedlings from a garden center. So you immediately get well-developed plants, you just have to prepare the place and plant them.

Growing rosemary from seeds is possible, but rather problematic. Rosemary seeds quickly lose their germination, despite the fact that the percentage of germination is already quite low. In the best case, 50% of the seeds germinate, stale seeds do not germinate at all.

Rosemary from seeds is grown only through seedlings. The emergence of seedlings can be delayed for a month or more, so the seeds are sown in February. Rosemary seeds are not too small, but not large either. They are comparable in size to basil seeds. They are sown on the surface of moist soil, sprinkled with a layer of loose soil 0.3-0.4 mm thick.

Rosemary seedling care is standard. Until the seeds germinate, the pots are kept at a temperature of + 20-22 ° C. After the emergence of seedlings, they are rearranged under the lamp. Watering, top dressing is carried out as needed.

It should be noted that seedlings from seeds develop rather slowly. In addition, rosemary has a tap root system, so the plants are painful to transplant. When cuttings develop fibrous roots, so plants from cuttings take root faster. Planting rosemary seedlings or seedlings grown from cuttings should be done only after the threat of return frosts has passed.

Harvesting and processing

You can cut rosemary greens throughout the summer as needed. The highest content of essential oils in the leaves during the beginning of flowering. At this point, you can cut the bushes by cutting the shoots in half. This stimulates the growth of lateral shoots and by autumn it will be possible to get another crop of fragrant twigs.

Rosemary sprigs for drying are harvested in dry weather in the middle of the day or in the evening, when there is no dew on them. Like all herbs, rosemary is dried in small bunches in a suspended state in the shade in a ventilated room: under a canopy, on a terrace. The herb must dry naturally so it retains all of its flavor. When the leaves have dried, they are separated from the stems and stored in an airtight container.

outdoor and indoor cultivation, propagation

The rosemary plant (Rosmarinus) is part of the Lamiaceae family. This genus is represented by evergreen shrubs and shrubs. Under natural conditions, this plant can be found on the territory of such European countries as Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece, in the southern part of France and in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, and also in North Africa: Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, and also in Turkey and in Cyprus.

From Latin "rosemary" is translated as "sea freshness", this is due to the fact that the ancient Greeks associated rosemary with the sea Aphrodite, which appeared from the sea foam. However, the smell of this plant is not at all similar to the iodine marine aroma. It is more like a combination of the smell of camphor and pine, so the Greek name of the plant, which translates as "balsamic shrub", is closest to the truth. Previously, people believed that rosemary improves memory, in connection with this, in ancient Greece, students often put wreaths on their heads that were woven from rosemary branches. In culture, this plant has become popular due to its special aroma. This plant is included in the composition of the "bouquet garni" and the collection of Provence herbs, and it is also put in drinks, marinades, and vinegar is also insisted on rosemary. Such an evergreen shrub is distinguished by its thermophilicity, therefore it can be grown in open ground only in those regions where winters are warm. And in those countries where the climate is cool, rosemary is grown as a container and room culture.

Content

Brief description of growing

  1. Planting . Sowing of rosemary seeds for seedlings is carried out in the last days of February or the first - March, and seedlings are transplanted into open ground - from mid to late May.
  2. Illumination . Requires plenty of bright sunlight.
  3. Primer . Limestone, well permeable to water and air.
  4. Watering . Should be moderate. Water is poured carefully under the root to avoid drops on the surface of the leaf plates.
  5. Fertilizer . In spring, a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, for example, urea or ammonium nitrate, is applied to the soil at the site. After that, once every 30 days, rosemary is fed with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. In autumn, those fertilizers are used that contain only phosphorus and potassium.
  6. Reproduction . Cuttings, dividing the bush, seeds and layering.
  7. Harmful insects . In room conditions - whiteflies and aphids, in open ground - aphids.
  8. Diseases . In winter, at room conditions, the plant can become ill with peronosporosis.

Rosemary features

Rosemary is a shrub that can grow from 0.5 to 2 meters in height. Its root system is very powerful and developed, it penetrates the soil to a depth of 3-4 meters. There is pubescence on the surface of grayish, obtusely four-sided young shoots. Perennial woody stems with peeling bark are painted in a dark gray shade. Sedentary linear leaf plates are leathery to the touch and have edges bent down. The leaves are about 0.4 cm wide, and up to 3. 5 cm long, their front surface is glossy, and on the wrong side there is pubescence. Lush paniculate inflorescences consist of flowers of pale purple, dark purple or white. This plant is related to the following crops: hyssop, basil, lavender, mint, motherwort, thyme (thyme), oregano and lemon balm. The upper parts of annual shoots, along with foliage and flowers, are used fresh, adding to dishes of legumes, cabbage, eggplant and meat.

Rosemary. Reproduction and cultivation.


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Planting rosemary seedlings

When to sow seedlings

Rosemary is propagated by seed, cuttings, dividing the bush and layering. In regions where winters are cold, this plant is recommended to be grown from seed through seedlings. Sowing seeds is carried out in the last days of February or the first - March.

Sowing features

Before sowing, the seed material is kept in water for several hours. When the seeds swell, they are sown in moistened sand or vermiculite, and they need to be buried in the substrate by only 0.3–0.4 cm, and the container must be covered with a film on top. If you want seedlings to appear as soon as possible, the crops are constantly kept warm (25 to 30 degrees). Do not forget to systematically remove the shelter and moisten the substrate with a spray bottle so that it is constantly slightly damp. If everything is done correctly, then the first seedlings should appear after 6-8 weeks. Immediately after this, the shelter is removed, and the crops are moved to a well-lit place. Remember that the substrate in the container must be watered regularly, for this they use warm, well-settled water. After the height of the seedlings is 70–80 mm, they are planted in open ground.

Easy sowing


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Growing rosemary at home

Planting

The first step is to grow rosemary seedlings from seeds, how to do this is described in detail above. After the height of the seedlings is 70–80 mm, they dive into separate pots (it is better to take clay ones), which should reach 9–11 centimeters in diameter, there must be drainage holes at the bottom. The container should be filled with a substrate that is well permeable to air and water; to create it, a universal soil mixture is combined with vermiculite or sand. You can make a soil mixture from humus, sand, soddy and deciduous soil (2: 1: 2: 2). A small hole is made in the wet soil mixture, the depth of which should be equal to the height of the seedling root. Carefully remove the plant from the container, taking it along with an earthen clod, and plant it in a pot in a prepared hole. Lightly tamp the substrate around the plant.

Illumination and temperature conditions

It is recommended to place the planted bush on a south-facing window. In order for the crown of rosemary to be beautiful, and not one-sided, regularly once every 7 days the container with the plant is rotated around its axis by 180 degrees. In the spring and summer, it is recommended to move the bush to fresh air (terrace, garden or balcony) if possible. With the onset of autumn, after the air temperature begins to drop to minus 1 degree, the plant is transferred to the house. It is undesirable to ventilate the room where rosemary is located, as cold air from the window can harm it. However, if there is no air circulation in the room, then mold may appear on the bush. To avoid this, a fan should operate in the room daily for 3-4 hours. In winter, the air temperature in the room should be below 16 degrees, and the humidity level at this time the bush needs to be low.

Pests

When grown indoors, aphids and arachnids can settle on the plant. If you notice pests on the bush, then treat with a solution of an acaricidal or insecticidal agent. At the same time, remember that several treatments may be required to completely destroy pests.

Watering

Make sure that the soil mixture in the pot with the plant is constantly slightly moist (not soggy). You can understand that the shrub lacks moisture by the lower foliage: it turns yellow. If there is too much moisture in the soil mixture, then the foliage begins to fly around the bush.

It is recommended to moisten the substrate in a pot with a watering can with a long and narrow spout, because water should not fall on the surface of the leaves, as this can cause mold. Before watering, the water should stand for at least a day, and its temperature should be close to room temperature.

Fertilizer

During the growing season from March to September, the plant needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers, which must include calcium. Top dressing is carried out regularly twice a month. In winter, the plant is not fed at all, or it is done much less frequently (once every 4–6 weeks).

Rosemary. Landing and care.


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Growing rosemary outdoors

You can also grow rosemary outdoors. To do this, choose a well-lit place that has reliable protection from gusts of wind. The soil needs light, loose, well-permeable water and air, and it is desirable that it be limed.

Seedlings are planted in open ground from the middle to the end of May after warm weather sets in, by which time the seedlings should reach a height of 70 to 80 mm. If you plan to grow large bushes, then when planting seedlings, a distance of half a meter is kept between them. And if you do not plan this, then it is enough to maintain a distance of 10 centimeters between the plants. Planted bushes need to be watered.

Care instructions

Growing rosemary in your garden is not as difficult as it may seem. You need to take care of it in almost the same way as for other garden crops, or rather, it should be systematically watered, fed, weeded, cut, and do not forget to loosen the soil surface in a timely manner.

After 7 days after planting, the tops of the stems should be pinched off near the bushes, in this case they will grow more magnificent and spectacular. Remember that the first flowering of such a plant can be seen no earlier than the second year after planting in open ground.

Pruning

Upright rosemary bushes, starting from the age of two, are cut at a height of 3-4 internodes on the last year's growth, and this is done in April. Prostrate rosemary does not need pruning.

Pruning in order to rejuvenate the shrub is carried out once every 7 years, for this, all the stems are cut at the level of the soil surface. In the spring, formative pruning is also carried out. You can form a plant in the form of a cube, a ball or a miniature tree (for example, in the form of a cypress). Rosemary broom-shaped bonsai is very popular among gardeners.

Wintering

This shrub is heat-loving, so in mid-latitudes it can die in winter. In order to keep the plant until spring, it is dug up and planted in a container, which is transferred to a well-lit and cool (not higher than 16 degrees) room. If it is not possible to dig up rosemary, then it is cut off at the level of the surface of the site and covered with a layer of dry foliage or sawdust, then a tent is made around the plant from spruce branches.

Watering

Rosemary is distinguished by its drought tolerance, but it still needs timely and proper watering. If the plant feels a lack of moisture, then because of this, its lower leaf plates will begin to turn yellow. And due to the regular stagnation of fluid in the soil, part of the root system of the shrub dies off, and its foliage is also observed flying around.

Watering should be moderate. Pour water gently under the root, because if its droplets fall on the foliage, then mold development may begin because of this.

Fertilizer

In the spring, a nitrogen-containing fertilizer is recommended to be applied to the soil on the site, this will be a great start for the growth of rosemary. And then, throughout the entire growing season, a complex mineral fertilizer is systematically applied to the soil once every 30 days. In autumn, fertilizers are used for top dressing, which do not contain nitrogen, but it should contain a lot of phosphorus.

What to grow on the plot after rosemary?

This plant is a perennial, but if you decide to remove it from the site, then you should dig up the bush and clear the soil of plant debris. Digging the soil, while adding compost or humus to it. Onions, carrots and garlic will grow well in such a site.

Propagation methods

How to grow rosemary from seed is detailed above. However, this is not the only way to propagate such a shrub. So, it can also be propagated by layering, cuttings and dividing the bush.

Cuttings

Cuttings are taken in September-October, for this, annual stems are used. The length of the cuttings should be from 8 to 10 centimeters, and they should also have 3 or 4 internodes. From the bottom, tear off all the leaf plates and treat the lower cut with a drug that stimulates root growth. Planting cuttings for rooting is carried out in a container filled with a loose and light substrate, well permeable to water and air, and pre-sterilized (for example, you can take a mixture of vermiculite and peat). Store the cuttings in a warm place out of direct sunlight.

Keep the soil mixture in the container slightly moist at all times, and the cuttings themselves must be moistened with water from a spray bottle every day. When new leaf blades grow on the cuttings, they are transplanted into individual pots in diameter reaching from 70 to 90 mm. 7 days after transplantation, the tops of the cuttings are pinched, thanks to which they will grow more magnificent and spectacular.

Rosemary from cuttings How to grow rosemary


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Cuttings

To propagate rosemary by cuttings, you need to select shoots from the bush that grow very close to the soil surface. The shoots are bent to the ground, then they are fixed and dug in with soil so that the top of the stem remains above the surface. Give the layerings regular watering so that the ground around them is always slightly moist. After the tip begins to grow, the layer is cut off from the parent plant and planted in open ground or a pot.

Dividing the bush

Propagation of rosemary by dividing the bush is most often resorted to when growing it at home. After the bush is pulled out of the container, its root is divided into parts. Please note that each division must have stems and roots. Sprinkle the cuts with charcoal powder and plant the delenki in individual pots.

Diseases and pests

When grown outdoors, rosemary is very resistant to pests and diseases. However, a bush growing at home is sometimes affected by downy mildew in winter, and whiteflies and aphids can also settle on it. To get rid of pests, gently lather the bush, and then rinse it under a warm shower. Moreover, the surface of the substrate in the container must be covered with a film so that soapy water does not get into it. To prevent downy mildew, do not allow excessive humidity levels in the room and potting mix. And also experts advise using a fan in winter to create air circulation in the room.

Types and varieties of rosemary with photo

In nature, there are only 3-4 types of rosemary, but only officinalis rosemary is cultivated by gardeners and florists. Description common rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) , or medicinal can be found at the beginning of this article. The following varieties of erect rosemary officinalis are most popular in culture:

This species also has a variety - prostratus, or prostrate rosemary: such an evergreen subshrub reaches a height of 0.5 m, and it can grow to a width of one and a half meters. The foliage of this variety resembles spruce needles, namely, it is leathery, dense, bright green, and in the center it has a vein of white. During flowering, small flowers of lilac or blue color are formed. Rosemary is often used by gardeners as a groundcover. This variety has several common varieties:

Benefits and harms of rosemary

Medicinal properties of rosemary

Since ancient times, rosemary has been a symbol of prosperity, abundance and longevity. That is why the newlyweds for the wedding were given a gift in the form of a sprig of rosemary. Also, this shrub was used as a medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, tonic and wound-healing effect. This plant was used during the treatment of rheumatism, hypotension, exhaustion, sciatica, sexual weakness, and it was also used for menopause. Also, this shrub is used in the treatment of certain heart diseases, colds, and it also helps to rejuvenate the body and stimulate blood circulation.

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