Rosemary Tips to Encourage Flower Blooms

 

I have a four year old  rosemary plant that is thriving but its not blooming.  I would really like it to bloom this year. A friend of mine has a “green thumb” and everything that she plants thrives and blooms so I decided to ask her why my rosemary wasn't flowering.  Here are a few of her tips to encourage flowering.

Rosemary - Wikipedia

Sunlight is a factor.  Rosemary loves full sun and needs at least six to 8 hours of sunlight daily.  The hotter and the dryer the better.  My rosemary is grown in a container and was on the patio where it was partial shade in the afternoon so I moved it to an area where I knew there would be ample sunlight.

The only time I cut my rosemary is when I need a sprig for cooking.  I usually take a new stem from the bottom leaving the top and sides full.   Pruning too much in the spring is a good way to remove flower buds before they bloom.

Rosemary thrives in light soil that drains well.  Heavy soil that is non draining  will prevent flowering.

Fertilizing I use Spray n Grow in the spring  but other than that all I do is water my rosemary when soil is dry.  I grow rosemary in a container and the soil dries out quicker than in the ground so I water my rosemary once a day or when the soil is dry to the touch. 

My rosemary plant grown in a container 

Rosemary is not a fan of fertilization as too much nitrogen will encourage a leafy bushy growth but limits flower production.

The age of the rosemary matters.  Rosemary needs at least five years to bloom.  So my plant needs more time and more sun. 

Growing Strawberries in a Container

 

Just because you have a small space does not mean you cannot grow strawberries.  Plant everbearing strawberries in a container and enjoy fresh picked strawberries during the summer months.

Normally I grow strawberries in the ground but this year I planted everbearing strawberries in a container.   I added 3 plants to a hanging container to protect the plants from garden pests. (deer, raccoon, rabbits and armadillo slugs and snails)

I like growing strawberries in a container because it saves on space, plus I can easily move the container to a sunnier spot and plan to move indoors during the winter months.

Containers have better drainage; the soil drains well through the holes at the bottom of the container and roots are never waterlogged.

When plants produce fruit, you will be able to harvest the berries easily from the container making the container strawberry garden perfect for patios and decks.

I have many container gardens on my patio and find that these gardens add interest to my outdoor living space. The trailing plants like strawberry and sweet potato are eye appealing.

Growing strawberries in a container is a great way to enjoy freshly harvested fruit in a garden that has limited space.

Maintaining and Caring for Herbs

  

Herbs will bring joy to your garden with their aromatic fragrance and pretty flowers.  You will also enjoy harvesting the leaves for flavorful teas, food recipes, and medicinal properties.   However, you will need to do specific steps throughout the growing season to maintain the health of your herb plants.

Here are some garden tips for maintaining and caring for herb plants.

Happy Gardening! 

 

Always plant your herbs in a garden bed with well-drained soil. Amend the soil with organic compost.  

Plant herbs in a garden that gets 5-8 hours of sun. Don't plant herbs too close; space herbs 12-18 inches for growth and air flow. 

Water herbs regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.  

It's best to keep the soil moist throughout the growing season.  To achieve this,  set up a slow-drip hose or inground water irrigation.   Otherwise, water the herb garden in the early morning.  In the peak season, when the days are extremely hot, you should mist the herb plants in the late afternoon.

 

Provide a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to encourage healthy growth.

Pinch back the tips of the plants to encourage bushier growth. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Pinch off the flowers to direct the plant's energy toward leaf production. 

Check your herb plants daily for common pests like aphids and mites. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can help keep pests under control.

*Image 1 is of my garden, image 2 was AI created