Monday, May 3, 2010

Rosemary





You want to grow Rosemary herb, you will need to give this plant plenty of space. The Herb Rosemary is actually an evergreen shrub that grows 3-6 feet tall. Rosemary is a member of the mint family, and is native to the Mediterranean region.
Rosemary has attractive, thin, dark green leaves and pale blue flowers. The Rosemary plant is susceptible to frost. Many herb gardeners grow it as an annual. It is a perennial in warm areas.

How to Grow Rosemary Shrubs:
Rosemary are avery easy to grow evergreen shrub. They prefer full sun to partial shade. Rosemary plants grow well in almost any well draining soil. They tolerate dry soil conditions and drought.
Rosemary are grown from seed. The seed is hard to start. Soak the seeds in water a few hours before planting.
We recommend starting it indoors on propagation mats to improve germination success. Start plants indoors six weeks before the last frost. Start earlier to enjoy these plants as an indoor houseplant. After the seeds sprout, place them in a warm, sunny window.
When transplanting outdoors, space plants three feet or more apart. In warm areas where there is no frost or freezes, select a location where it can grow for many years.
Fertilizer is not needed, except in very poor soils.
Watering plants is usually not necessary, even during droughts.T
Prune established plants to maintain health and appearance.
Harvest leaves and use fresh, as needed, in the summer. As autumn arrives, pick leaves in the morning when the oils are at their peak. Spread leaves out to dry in a cool, well ventilated area. Or, pick and freeze immediately.
Uses for Rosemary:
The leaves are used fresh, dried, or frozen in many recipes. It commonly is used on meats (beef, chicken, ribs), stews, sauces, and soups.
Fresh Rosemary can be used as a tea by adding a few fresh or dried leaves.
Rosemary has been used to treat both stomach aches and headaches. It is also believed to aid in memory retention.
The oil of Rosemary is used in perfumes and cosmetics. It has also been used as a moth repellent.

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