Rosemary
With dozens of uses and an extensive history dating back thousands of years,
rosemary is one of the oldest known herbs. Rosmarinus officinalis,
commonly called rosemary, is a perennial evergreen shrub native to
the Mediterranean. It is cultivated almost everywhere in the world,
but only hardy in Zone 8-10, where it can grow 5-6 feet high and several
feet wide. By its nature, it is a sun loving plant. This makes it
a challenge for us to successfully winter rosemary indoors in Minnesota.
It is very important that you provide lots of light to your rosemary during the winter months. Not only are our days much shorter, but the light we receive is less intense. In December the light we receive is around 1/10th what we receive in the summer.
Compound that fact with bringing the plant indoors where access to sunlight is even more limited and rosemary plants can become light-starved, making them susceptible to various problems. Locate your rosemary in the brightest spot you have available.
If at all possible, add additional artificial light. Kitchens can be a great location for rosemary because they are usually well-lighted, have higher humidity than most rooms and the plants are readily available to be used in cooking. Rosemary needs well-drained soil and lots of moisture. If the soil is porous
enough to allow the water to pass through within a few minutes, the plant
would like to be watered very often. If the soil retains too much moisture,
let it dry slightly between watering. Never allow water to stand in the
saucer and mist the plant frequently to counter the dry winter air.
Rosemary should be trimmed back as often as needed to keep the plant full and healthy. The unique flavor of rosemary can greatly enhance many dishes.
© Bachman's 2006
Author: Margaret Purcell, Senior Horticulturist |
