Growing Rosemary

Rosemary: Dew of the Sea

Rosemary has been around for centuries and has been one of the most valuable herbs around. Growing rosemary yourself can help you turn ordinary dishes into a gastronomic delight. Rosemary is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine.

It exudes a crisp, aromatic smell when burned or cooked. Some say Rosemary smells like mustard, others say similar to pine needles or to burning wood. It can easily make salads and vegetable dishes more scrumptious.

When added to meats, fish, breads and potatoes, Rosemary easily lends an exotic, burnt taste. You might also want to put it in soups, stews and marinades for a more appetizing aroma.

Rosemary is used in weddings as a symbol of fidelity and remembrance. A superstition in the old days was that tapping the groom or bride with Rosemary makes them stay true to the spouse forever. It also has been said that putting it under the pillow will cast out nightmares and bad spirits. In the 15th century, Rosemary was popularly used to combat the Black Plague.

More practically, with the different dishes it accentuates rosemary is a great asset to any kitchen or garden. Read on for our full guide on how to grow rosemary yourself.

Growing Rosemary

This fragrant, culinary herb does not need a lot of effort to grow. It is so low-maintenance that you do not have to break a sweat for it to develop. However, most people growing rosemary buy them from nurseries to avoid starting from seed. But honestly starting from seeds can be tricky. Plus, it needs ample time and patience as rosemary can take at least three months to sprout.

Another way to propagate rosemary is by cuttings. Growing Rosemary from cuttings will yield a faster germination. Putting the cutting into a glass of water is advisable to help it produce roots before transplanting.

Here are the steps on how to grow rosemary from cuttings:

1. To cut rosemary, start 2 inches from the top of the matured plant. The leaves should be taken away from the bottom inch. Leave the cutting in a rooting hormone.
2. Once the roots appear, transplant it into a container that has a well-draining soil. For optimal growth, use well-drained sandy and light soil. Add well-rotted manure and compost. Rosemary does not need direct sunlight so placing it indoors would do just fine. But, if you want to place the plant outdoors, choose a shady location.
3. When watering the cutting, use the mist nozzle and do not over water the soil. This should be done daily to avoid it from drying out.
4. Transplant the cutting to individual container once it grows enough roots. If you are growing several cuttings, space them 3 to 4 inches apart.
5. Pinching the top of the cutting will help Rosemary to develop branches.
6. Move rosemary indoors when the winter season comes. The frost from the winter season will destroy your plant. Use mulch when the summer season begins as it helps cool the plant.

Once rosemary begins to develop from the cutting, it is fairly low maintenance. Regular water and constant moisture of the soil is enough for it to last a long time. The only disease you might encounter is powdery mildew. This can be combated by having a good air circulation. Aphids and spider mites may sojourn to the plant. An insecticidal soap will keep these pests away.