A woody-stemmed plant that can grow to be quite large, rosemary is one of the few herbs that can be grown into an evergreen hedge, yet can also be used for culinary purposes. Rosemary makes for a great potted herb because of its propensity to grow much larger than needed. The aromatic qualities of rosemary make it a popular herb to season meats like lamb, pork, chicken, and veal with, and is also used for infusing olive oils and wines.

So you’ve decided to plant rosemary in your fantasitc garden, nice! According to our research on rosemary, we don’t recommend planting tomatoes nearby.

Rosemary can be added to your home garden in the springtime, after the last frost has passed. Plant each seedling 2 to 3 feet apart from each other, as they will grow quickly and vigorously. Rosemary will grow best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. A thick layer of mulch around the base of each rosemary seedling will help to keep moisture levels up in the soil during the warm summer months. A continuous-release fertilizer can be used regularly during the growth period.

Harvesting your rosemary can be done at any stage of growth, even just weeks after planting. Using a pair of clean garden sheers, cut a stem as close to it’s base as possible. Tie a few stems together and hang them upside down to dry. Once the stems become brittle, strip the leaves from the woody branches and store them in an airtight container to be used later as seasonings.