Rosemary: Rosmarinus Officinalis
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KEY
Perennial | 14-25 days | MAR-MAY | 45 days
ABOUT
Rosmarinus Officinalis is of Mediterranean origin and is widely cultivated in the United States and Europe. This herb has a beautiful strong aroma and very distinct needle like leaves that grow around 1 inch long. It is widely used in the kitchen and has also been used as a medicinal herb in some countries.
SOWING & PLANTING
🌱 Soil Type: Rosemary grows best in loamy soil.
☀️ Sunlight: Rosemary requires full sun exposure for at least six hours long.
🌱 Let sow for 14 to 25 days before moving to a bigger pot or outdoors.
Indoors:
Sow your seeds a few months before summer to allow the seeds to fully germinate. They should be sown less than 1cm deep and around 45cm apart if in a larger pot. The germination rate of rosemary is much lower than other herbs so do not be surprised if all of the seeds sown do not germinate.
If you wish to transplant your rosemary, do so at least 3 weeks before the first frost. Ensure the soil is moist to easen the transplanting process.
Outdoors:
If you choose to sow outdoors, ensure you do so after the last frost of spring as rosemary enjoys warm weather. Rosemary thrives in well drained, clay soil with a neutral pH. Be careful of over watering and place in a fully sun exposed area.
GROWING
Indoors:
Due to its Mediterranean heritage, rosemary needs a lot of sunlight, at least 6 hours a day is ideal. It is therefore best to place on a windowsill facing the sun. Ensure the pot you use has sufficient drainage holes as rosemary is susceptible to root rot - a product of overwatering and/or poor drainage.
Outdoors:
Mulching is advised as this will help keep the soil moist. If you live in a cooler climate, be careful of frosty temperatures as this can stunt the growth of Rosemary. If there is a particularly cold period, cover the plant with a horticultural fleece and remove any damaged areas.
COMPANION VARIETIES
Runner Bean
Kale
Radish
Carrot
HARVESTING
Once fully grown, you can harvest your rosemary by picking off leaves as needed throughout the year. You can also use a garden pruner and cut off the stems to store in your kitchen. When cutting the stems, never cut more than ⅓ off at a time as this will cause stress to the herb.
PRESERVING
Rosemary can be dried and placed in a container or wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in the fridge. This will keep for up to 3 weeks. You can also freeze rosemary and there are many different methods to do so including: placing in an ice tray with water/oil or freezing on a baking tray and transferring to a freezer bag.
HEALTH BENEFITS
This herb is rich in antioxidants and is often used to aid digestion. It is high in Vitamins A and C as well as being rich in Iron. Rosemary has also been used for medicinal purposes throughout history.
