By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Cactus Potting Soil
- Garden Spades
- Planting Containers
- Rosemary Plants
Growing Rosemary in Warm Climates (USDA Zones 8 Through 10)
Step1
Buy started plants at the nursery for best results; seeds germinate slowly and erratically - and then only when they're very fresh.
Step2
Choose a site that gets full sun or very light afternoon shade and has excellent drainage (raised beds are ideal). Rosemary prefers poor to average soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Step3
Plant at any time, setting transplants into the ground at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots. Leave at least 2 feet all around to ensure good air circulation.
Step4
Clip leaves or sprigs anytime you need them.
Growing Rosemary in Cooler Climates (USDA Zone 7 and North)
Step1
Buy started plants at the nursery for planting in early spring.
Step2
Use a clay pot that measures at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches across and has plenty of drainage holes.
Step3
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.
Step4
Harden off plants when all danger of frost has passed, then move them outdoors (see "How to Harden Off Seedlings").
Step5
Water regularly, keeping the soil slightly moist but never wet. During spring and early summer, feed plants monthly with compost tea.
Step6
Bring the plants back inside well before the first frost and put them in a sunny south- or west-facing window. If winter sunlight is scarce in your house, augment the supply with fluorescent lights.
Step7
Keep the soil moist and mist the plants at least twice a week with tepid water.
Step8
Clip leaves or sprigs anytime you need them.
How to Grow Rosemary
Choose a site that gets full sun or very light afternoon shade and has excellent drainage (raised beds are ideal). Rosemary prefers poor to average soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Plant at any time, setting transplants into the ground at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots. Leave at least 2 feet all around to ensure good air circulation.
Clip leaves or sprigs anytime you need them.
Comments
jmguild said
on 1/28/2008 my rosemary is turning brown and dying. what can i do to prevent this?
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I have two rosemary plants growing in my front garden. We use them for teas and cooking. When visitors enter the house as they go through the path, most of the time, they will recognize the plants and touch them to release the aroma. I found it is easy to grow and they keep the neighborhood cats away from my garden.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The type of rosemary does effect when you grow it. Rosemary is a rather hardy plant and can probably be grown any time of year. But to get the best out of your rosemary, try planting between March and June, in a relatively sunny, but sheltered spot. Your rosemary should thrive!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I have an herb box at my house. It gets close to 7-8 hours of light a day, and I've come to find that rosemary flourishes there, along with germinating green onions and morning glories :-)
-Ian
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I have several rosemary plants in my yard. Whenever I make a chicken I cut off a few fresh sprigs and stuff them in the body cavity with a half onion. Mmmmm!