How to Grow, Propagate and Store Rosemary

DebDavies | Aug 31, 2009 |

2 Comments | Rating: 0

Rosemary is a perennial herb that has many uses. It is used in cooking, sachets, potpourri, baths, and companion planting to name a few. Rosemary is easy to grow and propagate and a wonderful addition to any garden.

Things You Will Need

Rosemary Sterile seed starter soil

Seed starter pots Rooting hormone

Garden snips Garden gloves

Garden hose Spray bottle

Compost Fish emulsion

Terra Cotta pot Cookie sheet

Freezer bags Tightly sealing jar

Rubber bands Small paper bags

Plant Rosemary in well-draining alkaline soil in a spot receiving full sun. It will grow up to 18-24 inches, but can grow even taller. The plants should be at least 18 inches apart. If properly cared for, plants can be grown to form a small hedge, if this is your goasl, place plants at least 24 inches apart. This herb is not a heavy feeder s fertilize once in the spring with a fish emulsion.

Rosemary grown in a frost zone can be grown in Terra Cotta planters. Ensure the plant gets 6 - 8 hours of full sun a day when indoors. Repot once a year. If you don't want to repot it, root cut it so it doesn't become root bound. To root cut, trim a few inches off of the bottom and the sides of the rootball. Replant and then trim a few inches off of the top of the herb plant. Keep plant in a slightly shaded area for a couple days to get over the shock.

Starting Rosemary from seed is challenging so the favored way to propagate is through cuttings. This herb is a woody plant as it matures so look for tender new growth. Cut off at least 2 inches, remove the leaves from the bottom inch and dip into rooting hormone. Place the cutting in sterile seed starter soil in a small pot. Keep the cuttings in a warm spot that receives only indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will fry the cuttings. Mist cuttings daily. Within 3 weeks, the cuttings will have developed roots and are ready to be transplanted. Snip off the top of the cutting to encourage branching.

Harvest Rosemary leaves or branches as needed to suit your purpose. Harvest in the morning after the dew has evaporated and before the heat of the day sets in. The oils in the leaves will be at their strongest at this point.

Rosemary can be stored by freezing it or drying it. To freeze for storage, spread the leaves or branches out on a cookie sheet and place in freezer. Once the leaves have frozen, transfer into freezer bags. To dry it for storage, gather branches in a bundle. Place a rubber band around the bundle and slip the bundle into a small paper bag. Some of the bottom of the plant bundle should be sticking out of the bag. Fasten the bag to the bundle with another rubber band. Slice ventilation slits into bag. Hang this bundle upside down in a warm, dark spot checking after a couple weeks to see if it is thoroughly dried. Once dry, transfer into airtight containers.