Cultivation of Rosemary

Site: Needs a sunny area with excellent drainage. On limy soil, rosemary is a smaller but more fragrant plant. To provide additional lime, apply eggshells or potash. Must be protected from cold winds and winter temperature. Give plants frequent water (every 3 to 5 days) during the first growing season, and then decrease irrigation frequency once the root system has established. Once established, irrigate when they begin to show any signs of wilting. Excessively irrigated plants become very woody.

Propagation: Rosemary seed can be sown in May but you will get better results buying pot grown plants at the nursery. Seeds germinate slowly and erratically - and then only when they're very fresh. For potted plants, use a clay pot that measures at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches across and has plenty of drainage holes. Fill it with a light, coarse potting mix, such as cactus soil with a handful of perlite added. Set the plants into their new quarters at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots. Rosemary dislikes being moved so place it in a permanent spot in your herb garden..

Growing: To plant outdoors, leave 2 to 3 feet between plants. Container grown indoor plants must have a sunny position. Rosemary is available in the prostrate growth form (1 to 2 feet in height) or the upright growth form (3 to 6 feet in height). The upright varieties make a good, informal evergreen hedge. If pruning is required, upright plants should be selectively pruned rather than sheared. Prostrate forms look best in cascading over masonry or rock walls or in rock gardens where the individual branches create interesting edge patterns. These can also be shaped easily by selective pruning.

Harvesting: Clip leaves or sprigs anytime you need them all year round but gather main leaf harvest before flowering.

Culinary Uses: Add very sparingly (rosemary can be overpowering) to a wide range of meat and poultry dishes, especially lamb, pork and chicken. Rosemary is also good for flavoring baked potatoes.