Rosemary

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Hardy Shrub (Perennial)

Produces a beautiful shrub with aromatic needle-like leaves used in roasts.

Very popular seasoning herb. Perennial in habit. Given a warm, well drained sunny position you can grow a fine aromatic hedge bedecked in summer with pretty blue flowers.

Whilst you can sow directly in shallow drills in the ground when soil temperature is around 55°f - 60°f (15°C) better results are achieved by sowing directly in pots or seed trays in good seed compost. Keep out of strong sun light until they have germinated and produced true leaves. Plant out or pot on when the seedlings are large enough to handle.

Plant Height

Up to 2m/6.6 ft if left unchecked!

Where to Sow

Indoors/Outdoors thinly in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter. 

Outdoors in open ground

Sowing time

Indoors February/April - temperature +16C/61F.  

Outdoors - after the last frost. 

Another  slow germinator. Up to 30 days

How to Sow

Sow seeds 2.5cm / 1-inch apart,  6mm/1/4-inch deep.

After Germination

Keep compost moist but not very wet. 

Growing on -  in Pots

When 2.5cm/1-inch thin / transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

Growing on- in ground

When 2.55cm/1 inch thin or plant out  to 40cm/18-inches apart

Harvesting

Harvest the leaves as necessary. Also mature whole stems which are particularly useful  as skewers for meat kebabs. Leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Uses

Goes well with meat, poultry, sauces, greens, and stuffing