Rosemary is a great plant to add to a fresh herb garden. While many people will opt for complete separation of the herb, it is a great herb to grow among other plants because of the look and smell it permeates throughout the garden. If you choose to grow rosemary among other plants, there are certain precautions you can take to keep the plants from spreading too rapidly. Whether you grow the rosemary in a separate area, or with the rest of the garden, you should definitely grow this hearty herb.
Getting started with growing rosemary usually means using a cutting for propagation. While it is possible to grow rosemary from a seed, it is often difficult to germinate the seed in order to grow a strong, healthy plant. It is also fair to expect anything when growing from a seed. When growing from a cutting, you will be able to get about the same plant as the plant the cutting was taken from. This is a good way to grow exactly what you want in your fresh herb garden.
In order to get started with a cutting, cut off about 2 inches from a new growth from a plant in a friend’s garden. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting and dip it into a rooting hormone. The next step is to plant your cutting into a seed starting mix. Make sure the container is put in a warm spot so it will have the chance to grow a strong root system. The usual length of time to develop roots is about 2 – 3 weeks. You will know when you have good roots when the cutting is resistant to any pulling upward. Transfer the rooted plant into a prepared soil bed and pinch of the top of the plant.
If you are planting your rosemary in the same garden as the rest of your plants, use a separator, which digs in to the soil at least six inches. This will prevent the roots from growing in the direction of the rest of the garden and inhibit growth in that direction. You will also need to practice proper pruning techniques in order to control the growth of the plant. It is recommended to reduce the volume of the plant by 1/3 when it is getting too big. This will control the growth, but leave enough leaves on the plant in order to keep growing. Make sure all pruning cuts are made with sharp shears at the stem of the plant.
When growing your rosemary outdoors, there is not much problem with pests attacking the plant. The only problem you may encounter with rosemary is if you decide to remove it from the fresh herb garden and take it inside for the winter. The biggest problem you may encounter is in developing powdery mildew, or being attacked by aphids and spider mites. In order to overcome powdery mildew, use an oscillating fan to create an artificial breeze and allow the soil to be somewhat drier than normal. In order to overcome aphids and spider mites, apply insecticide soap.
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