Rosemary
A fragrant, evergreen shrub offering aromatic leaves all year round. Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb, thriving in sunny, well-drained conditions, perfect for flavouring roasts, stews, and bread.
Rosemary (Young plant)
£3.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Not recommended from seed; best started from cuttings in spring or late summer
Plant out
April – June (container-grown plants); root cuttings spring or late summer
Harvest
Year-round (leaves)
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6-8 hours a day
Water
Tolerant of drought once established; water sparingly, allow soil to dry between waterings
Soil
Well-drained, sandy-loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
60-90cm (2-3 feet) apart
Containers
Excellent in large pots (30cm+ diameter) to protect from winter cold
Indoors
Can be overwintered indoors in a bright, cool spot in colder regions
Care and harvest
Feeding
Very little needed; a light balanced feed in spring if growth is poor
Pruning
Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape; avoid cutting into old wood
Harvesting
Snip sprigs as needed; do not remove more than a third of the plant at once
Storage
Keep in a plastic bag in the fridge for a week, or dry/freeze sprigs
Good companions: Cabbage, Beans, Carrots