Rosemary Growing Guide
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) is a perennial shrub in the mint family with dark green needle- like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is often used to flavor chicken, lamb, pork and veal as well as in soups and vegetables.
It is drought tolerant and is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 10. Rosemary can be easily grown in containers outdoors as well as indoors in a very sunny window or under fluorescent lights.
In warmer climates where it survives the winter, there are varieties that reach 6 to 7-feet tall and there are many ornamental varieties that are used in landscaping as hedges.
Soil Preparation
The soil should be nice loose well drained organic garden soil with the soil pH between 6.0 to 7.5. As soon as the soil is frost-free and can be worked, till the soil by digging down 8 to 12-inches turning the soil over with a garden fork. Remove any large rocks and stones. The small stones remaining will do no harm and actually benefit the soil by adding some micro-nutrients to the soil.
Starting From Seed
Follow the seed packet instructions, seeds can be started indoors 8 to 10-weeks before your last expected frost date.
Sow the seeds 1/4-inch deep in a sterile seed starting mix in cell packs or pots. Lightly cover with the seed starting mix and keep moist. Germination takes 14 to 21-days.
Bottom watering is the easiest way to keep moist without disturbing the newly sown seeds.
You can direct sow in your vegetable garden in the late spring to early summer.
For more detailed information visit the seed starting page.
Planting Rosemary
Plant rosemary in full sun directly in the garden after all danger of frost is past. The soil should be warm and rosemary will do best if planted about 2-weeks after your last expected frost date.
It should be planted in rows 18 to 24-inches apart. Depending on the variety, allowing them to crowd each other a bit will keep the weeds down and help support each other.
Rosemary loves hot weather, so water the plants on a regular schedule allowing the soil to dry between watering.
Watering and Care
When the plants are a few inches tall add a nice loose mulch of shredded leaves or pine straw to shade the plant roots. This will keep the weeds out, the soil cooler and help retain moisture. Keep the mulch a couple of inches away from the stem. During dry spells give some water each week.
Harvesting Rosemary
Any time you want fresh rosemary you can cut the stems containing the needle-like leaves at any point in the growing season. Individual stems should be carefully clipped off making sure that the plant roots are not disturbed. The leaves can be easily stripped off of the stems, which can also be used as skewers for shish-kabobs.
Pinch off any flower buds that form. This will encourage branching and the formation of more leaves.
Drying Rosemary
Rosemary leaves can be easily preserved by drying. When you dry your excess that you grow during the summer months you can enjoy and have a steady supply during the winter and spring.
There are several methods of drying the leaves. If you are in a warm, dry, low humidity location, you can dry the leaves in the sun or in a dry barn or a shed. A very good method of drying the leaves is using a food dehydrator following your unit’s directions. Check occasionally for dryness, which may take several hours. When the leaves are brittle and crumbly when you press on them, they are done.
For most gardeners the easiest and fastest way is to dry in the oven. Cut your stems after the dew has dried. Discard any discolored or bruised leaves or stems. The leaves can be left on the stems and dried with the leaves removed after drying.
The leaves should be dry before putting in the oven. Place a thin layer of stems on a parchment lined cookie sheet and place in the oven at a very low temperature setting. Leave the door slightly open.
If the temperature is too high, the leaves may turn brown. Keeping the temperature around 200-degrees F or slightly lower, your dried rosemary leaves will have nice green color. When dried, the leaves will be brittle and crumbly when you press on them. Check occasionally for dryness. The time it takes may be an hour or so depending on temperature and the amount of oregano leaves you are drying.
When the leaves are fully dried, you can remove the leaves from the stems and they can be stored in a tightly sealed Mason jar in a dark location.
Diseases and Pests
Rosemary can have root rot occur if the soil is poorly drained. Mealybug, scale, spider mites, whitefly and powdery mildew can occur in humid climates.
Popular Varieties
Albiflorus, Arp, Barbeque, Benenden Blue, Flora Rosa, Huntington Carpet, McConnell's Blue, Irene, Holly Hyde, Hill Hardy. Majorca Pink, Prostrates, Spice Island, Tuscan Blue.
Sources: Seeds Now, Burpee, Johnny’s Selected Seeds
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