Sowing and Growing

Sowing and Growing

Rosemary is a hardy plant, but it can be damaged by cold weather. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may need to protect the plants by covering them with a burlap sack or other protective material.

Rosemary can be planted in the spring or fall. 

Ecological range: Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region, but it can be grown in many other parts of the world. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of climates.

Climate: Rosemary prefers a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, it can also be grown in other climates, as long as it is protected from frost.

Temperature ranges: Rosemary can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it prefers temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -6 degrees Celsius, but it will not survive temperatures below -17 degrees Celsius.

• Sun exposure: Rosemary requires full sun exposure, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Sowing:

Rosemary seeds can be germinated in a variety of ways. You can sow the seeds directly in the soil, in pots, or in a germination tray. If you are sowing the seeds directly in the ground, wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 15.5 degrees Celsius. If you are sowing the seeds in pots or a germination tray, use a well-draining potting mix. Water the seeds well and keep the potting mix moist. The seeds should germinate in 2 to 4 weeks.

Plant directly in the soil: 

No applicable to plant rosemary seeds directly in the soil because rosemary seeds need to be incubated, also needs some care to germinate. 

Rosemary seeds are also expensive to sow directly in the soil, so it’s preferred to sow rosemary seeds in seedling trays (209 Holes) then trans plant them in the soil.

Planting in seedling trays:

It can be easily started from seed indoors in seedling trays. To do so, fill the trays with a well-draining potting mix (Harraz Advanced Potting Soil – Seed Starting mix) and sow the seeds 1 cm deep. The seeds will germinate in about 7-10 days. Once the seedlings have germinated, thin them to 6-8 inches apart.

1. Rosemary needs light, well-drained soil, as rosemary naturally is a wild plant that does not prefer heavy clay or loamy soil or slow-draining soils, so it is preferable that growing media preferred to use could be 70% cocopeat – 10% vermiculite – 5% perlite – 15% plant compost.
2. Prepare the soil mixture in the seedling tray and place the seeds at a depth of 0.5 cm. 
3. spray the seeds with water using a sprinkler or sprayer until the soil is completely wet so that the soil is moist enough to germinate the seeds (you can check the moisture of the soil by rubbing the soil between your fingers and sticking your finger in the soil, and if the soil is sufficiently moist, you will feel the moisture of the soil on your fingers) and cover them with a plastic bag to speed up the germination process, and don’t forget to make holes in the plastic bag so that the seeds can breathe.
4. Incubate the tray for about 14 days (inside the plastic bag), and do not uncover it except every 48 hours to renew the aeration until germination.

     5. After germination, the trays are growing in the nursery for a period of not less than 20 days, and then the plant              is ready to cultivate in open fields.

     6. It was also mentioned that the re-planting or transfer of rosemary takes during spring and autumn seasons, so             the transplantation takes place during months from the beginning of March to June, as well as from the                           beginning of August to October.

Transplanting:

Once the seedlings have grown two sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted to the garden. Space the plants 18 to 50 cm apart. Water the plants well after transplanting.

The best soil type for Rosemary is a well-draining, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If your soil is sandy, you may need to add some compost or peat moss to improve drainage. If your soil is clay, you may need to add some sand or compost to improve drainage.

Irrigation:

Rosemary needs regular watering, especially during the first year after planting. Water the plants deeply once a week, or more often during hot, dry weather.

Watering: Rosemary is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the first year after planting. Once the plant is established, it can tolerate periods of drought.

Fertilization:

Rosemary does not require a lot of fertilizer. A light application of compost or manure in the spring will help to keep the plants healthy.

Rosemary is a drought tolerant plant, but it must be watered at least 2 times to produce an average yield. Care must be taken not to over-irrigate, especially in soils with poor drainage.

After the first irrigation, and accordingly the seeds germinate, it is forbidden to irrigate the soil again for two weeks to avoid root rot (root rot is considered the most important injury that affects Rosemary and causes its destruction) in clay soils.

The root system of Rosemary is medial and not deep, and therefore a suitable moisture content must be maintained in the root area continuously.

Rosemary can be grown alongside other plants without any problem, provided that the cultivated plants are compatible with it in irrigation.

Rosemary is a drought-tolerant plant, so it is recommended to be moderate in irrigation with Rosemary to protect the plant from root rot.

When reducing the period between irrigation and the other, this leads to a delay and a reduction of flowers in Rosemary.

Rosemary cannot, in many cases, tolerate water salinity levels higher than 2500 parts per million, and this is one of the most significant obstacles to cultivating Rosemary in reclaimed lands.

Irrigation of plants is completely stopped about 10 days before harvesting, and irrigation and fertilization are done immediately after harvesting, because it has already been mentioned that the longer the period between one irrigation and the other, the greater the reduction of Rosemary flowers, and the drier the environment, the more this helps. Ali enhances its flavour and aroma.

Harvesting:

Rosemary leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season. To harvest the leaves, simply snip them off with a pair of scissors. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.

• The rosemary is a relatively pest- and disease-free plant. However, it can be susceptible to aphids and spider mites. If you see any pests, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Rosemary is a hardy plant, but it can be damaged by cold weather. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may need to protect the plants by covering them with a burlap sack or other protective material.
• Rosemary is a drought-tolerant plant, but it will produce more leaves if it is watered regularly.

A well-cared-for rosemary plant can produce up to 1 Ton of leaves per year. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Rosemary is a relatively easy plant to grow. With proper care, it will thrive in your garden and provide you with fresh, flavorful leaves for years to come.

Some Plant Needs:

• Type: Herb
• Pot size: 15 – 50 cm
• Days to Maturity: 40 Days
• Planting: April – September 
• Planting Depth: 1 cm
• Plant Distances: 15 cm – 50 cm 
• Preferred Soil for Transplanting: 70% Cocopeat 10% Vermiculite 5% Perlite 15% Plant Compost
• Preferred Soil for Germination: 60% Cocopeat 7% Vermiculite 3% Perlite 30% Plant Compost
• Germination period: 3 – 15 Days
• Light: Full sun
• PH: 5.5 – 6.5
• Electrical Conductivity (EC): 0.8 – 1.6 Ms
• Total Dissolved Salts (TDS): 512 – 1024 ppm
• Color: Green

Some important tips:

• Choose the right location. Rosemary needs full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid planting it in areas that are prone to flooding or that have heavy clay soil.
• Water regularly. Rosemary is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the first year after planting. Once the plant is established, it can tolerate periods of drought.
• Fertilize lightly. Rosemary does not require a lot of fertilizer. A light application of compost or manure in the spring will help to keep the plants healthy.
• Protect from frost. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may need to protect your rosemary plants from frost. You can do this by covering them with a burlap sack or other protective material.
• Harvesting. Rosemary leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season. To harvest the leaves, simply snip them off with a pair of scissors. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Another some additional tips:

• Rosemary is a good companion plant for tomatoes, cabbage, and carrots. It helps to repel pests and diseases.
• Rosemary can be propagated from cuttings. Simply take a 6-inch cutting from a healthy plant and plant it in a pot of well-draining soil. The cutting should root in about 2 weeks.
• Rosemary can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a popular herb in Mediterranean cuisine, and it can also be used in soups, stews, and salads.
• Rosemary essential oil is a popular aromatherapy oil. It is said to have an amount of benefits, including reducing stress, improving memory, and boosting circulation.