How to Grow Rosemary
Here we will go over the best way to grow your own rosemary herbs. The name ‘rosemary’ has absolutely nothing to do with the beautiful rose flower and has nothing in common with anyone named Mary. The name actually comes from the Latin term ‘rosmarinus’ that translates into ‘dew of the sea’.
Rosemary has many uses, with its main use being as a popular culinary herb used in many cuisines. The herb has a bitter taste that is a great compliment to oily foods such as fish dishes. The leaves and flowers also go very well with meat and tea. They have a distinct aroma that can easily be mistaken for mustard. The herbs are extensively used for flavoring in many everyday foods.
So, what if you want to grow your own rosemary, how hard is it? You’ll be thankful to know that rosemary is an easy herb to grow if you take the easy option. We will be going over methods to grow rosemary herbs in your own home right here.
The seeds from rosemary herbs grow can sometimes be slow and hard to germinate, so if you are just starting off growing rosemary for the first time we recommend you grow the plant from the clippings of another already thriving plant.
Growing Rosemary
First off, take clippings from an existing rosemary plant. Take a cutting about 2 inches long and cut off the lower leaves using scissors (do not pull them off with your fingers).
A good tip is to dip the bottom of the stem into some rooting powder; this can be found at a local garden store.
Next, place the stem in a container with peat and perlite in equal measures. Your herb is now ready to grow. To keep the plant moist on sunny days you should spray the herb with water a few times during the day.
You must choose a growing area that receives a lot of indirect sunlight and good airflow. A spot next to a window that you open throughout the day is a good choice.
After around 2 to 3 weeks, you can test how the roots are growing. You can do this by tugging gently at the stem.
Once you notice that your new cuttings have roots, it is time to transfer them into individual pots. Use pots around 3½ – 4½ inches in diameter.
To care for your rosemary you must provide them with three things: sunlight, water and airflow. When growing indoors it can be useful to use an electric fan to help circulate the air in the room where you keep the rosemary.
Growing rosemary outdoors is more or less the same as growing indoors. You can also grow the plant outside in containers so they can be brought inside during cold frosty winter months.
If you chose to grow rosemary outdoors, the main task is picking a good spot that gets plenty of sunlight. Rosemary needs a good draining soil, so ask around at the garden store for recommendations. Usually a soil that contains vermiculite, peat moss or perlite is a good choice.
Possible Problems
Rosemary has a tendency to grow a white powdery mildew when grown indoors; this is normally because of poor air circulation in the room. It is a fungus that develops when the room is humid. Opening a window or using a fan can usually solve this problem quickly.
All indoor plants are prone to becoming infested with spider mites during the winter. It is best to catch these pests early as they can pose quite a problem if left to become totally infested. Use an insecticide and follow the instructions on the bottle to get rid of the mites.