Rosemary
Rosemary is an herb in the labiatae (mint) family. It's a tender perennial grayish
green ornamental shrub 2-6 feet high with scaly bark. It's foliage is needle-like
and gray green in color. Flowers are small pale blue to pink clusters.Rosemary
was harvested from the wild in France. In ancient Greece and Rome it was
used as incense by the poor as a substitute for expensive frankincense or
myrrh-based incense.
Planting
Rosemary seeds have a poor germination rate so it's easiest to use transplant
cuttings. It is recommended to take 4" cuttings when harvesting,
which can be done anytime of the year.Place cutting directly into a well
drained spot to keep it from root rotting. Rosemary will grow indoors.
Transplant carefully in a large container so it has room to grow. Use
a good potting mix and organic compost. Make sure it is not too moist
to avoid root rot. Make sure it is well drained, but keep well watered.
Spray the leaves with water occasionally, especially if the heat is up.
Tips
Snip the foilage to harvest. To dry leaves, cut branches before the plant
flowers, bunch them together, and hang them upside down in a warm, airy
place for several day. Store leaves in an airtight jar. Use fresh or dried
leaves in salads, vegetables, soups, stews, sauces and egg dishes. Add
a sprig of rosemary to your tea or to a piture of lemonade. Use it in
marinades for roasted potatoes, squash or mushrooms.
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