Rosemary is one of the most popular Mediterranean kitchen herbs. However, some care is required for successful cultivation.
Watering and fertilizing rosemary
It is essential to avoid waterlogging when cultivating this aromatic subshrub. Nevertheless, the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) should not be neglected when it comes to watering, as is the case with its southern colleague - the thyme (Thymus vulgaris ) - can do. If the dry spell lasts too long, rosemary sheds the aromatic needles. Annual rosemary fertilization with a primarily organic long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is a good way to support the plant during the exhausting budding in spring. Further supplementary fertilization is not absolutely necessary, especially when growing in beds. In order to arm the plant tissue for the winter, at least no fertilization should be carried out after August.
How to cut rosemary
Rosemary is a semi-shrub and threatens to become woody quickly without regular pruning. The woody shoots are bare and it is extremely difficult for the plant to sprout again and form fresh shoots. Therefore, you should never cut back to the woody part of the plant. Even the regular harvest of spicy sprouts helps to keep the rosemary in shape and to promote its branching. Nevertheless, a strong pruning should be carried out at the beginning of May in any case. It is too risky for pruning before May, as the threat of frosty nights could freeze the tender new shoots.
Winter rosemary
Rosemary is not only a lover of the sun, most varieties also prefer it warm and sometimes have problems with the frosty winter cold. If the rosemary grows in a pot, it should therefore be moved from the balcony or terrace to the windowsill or, even better, to the conservatory. In the case of specimens planted in the bed, it is advisable to cover them with twigs or fleece. A life-threatening combination for rosemary is permanentfrozen ground on clear sunny winter days. The plant then evaporates water, although none can be drawn from the ground due to the frozen ground. There is a risk of winter death from dehydration. Covering the plants counteracts the frost. In addition, the shoot tips are protected from frost damage. In principle, a sheltered place by a wall is always ideal for Mediterranean herbs in the bed in order to get the plants through the winter in the best possible way.