Growing Tips for Rosemary

Rosemary is a fast growing evergreen herb that is eye appealing and very fragrant.  The entire plant; leaves, stems and blooms are very fragrant which is why I love this herb.   This herb has deep grayish green foliage and will cascade in a container or over a low rock wall.

Rosemary has many uses; you can cook with the leaves, or make potpourri. I like to cut springs of rosemary for my garden wreaths, herb and flower arrangements and for my natural rosemary soap.  The aromatic rosemary has an invigorating fragrance that appeals to my senses. 

I first learned about this herb a few years back at greenwood nursery and liked what I read about the herb.  I ordered 4 creeping rosemary plants and grew them in an over sized urn on our flagstone patio. 

If we were having friends over to relax on the patio the fragrant rosemary would perfume the air.  All of my guests love the scent of the rosemary and many would heighten the flavor of their meat or vegetables by adding rosemary leaves.  You should grow rosemary especially if you enjoy cooking but also if you enjoy decorating your home with herbs.  there are also health benefits for growing rosemary, here are a few;

Now you have learned a little about the herb called rosemary.  If you would like to grow it then follow these tips.

Planting Requirements

Growing rosemary is easy as long as you provide the plant with its requirements. Rosemary likes it hot so choose a garden site where the soil well drained, moist in the morning, dry in the afternoon. There should be a minimum of six hours of full sun. The creeping rosemary tolerated the partial sun growing conditions.  

For small yards grow creeping rosemary in containers gardens.  As long as you provide the herb with ample sunlight and medium soil as well as hydration when needed you will be able to successfully grow creeping rosemary.  You will need to plant in a container that allows the rosemary to creep; consider a hanging container or large pot or an urn.

Grow in containers that have drainage holes. If there are none you can create them by drilling holes into the bottom of the container.  Improve the water drainage by adding inches of gravel; this gravel will prevent the roots from being wet.  On top of the gravel I will mix compost with soil and fill the container.

How to Grow Rosemary

Plant the rosemary by digging a hole in the soil that is the same depth as the nursery container.  Set the rosemary herb in the hole and back fill the soil. Firm the soil around the stem and water well.  

If planting in a container, fill the soil up to one inch below the top.  By allowing this inch you will aid in hydrating the plant. The water will not spill over the rim but instead will seep into the soil.
Maintain your rosemary by applying organic mulch around the plant and watering it one inch per week. 

 Rosemary is hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  Bring rosemary indoors if your weather is extremely cold.  In early spring fertilize rosemary with compost, but a hefty handful around the plants stem.  The nutrients from the compost will keep your rosemary healthy.