Are you planning to plant Rosemary in your garden? Then you should know that it requires a special soil that is specially designed for different types of plants. In fact, the soil mixture for Rosemary that you use for planting is different from the type of soil that would be suitable for other types of herbs. So, before you start planting anything, you should learn more about this so you will be guided as you go along with the rest of the gardening crew in planting Rosemary.
Yes, Rosemary is notorious for being so delicate when it comes to the soil conditions, but in reality it is not very difficult to come up with the right soil mix for your favorite herb. Just follow these steps, and you will surely have a beautiful herb garden in no time. First off, choose a location for planting herbs that would suit their natural habitat. There are some areas where you can plant Rosemary to help reduce the effect of adverse weather on your plants.
When you choose the spot for your Rosemary garden, check first if it is in a place where it can get enough sunlight and fresh air. Most herb gardens need at least three feet of direct sunlight and about an hour of cool breezes. If the soil is located in a place that is constantly exposed to the sun, make sure you place pots there so you can keep them properly shaded. Do you also want to place pots on a slope? Well, the soil for Rosemary that is placed on a slope would be great because it can help the plant grow its roots at an angle.
After determining where you would like to place your pots, the next thing you should do is to choose their pots’ materials. You may either choose between plastic or stainless steel pots, or you may also opt to go with clay pots. You should also remember to pick pots that are labeled as being water-proof. Water-proof pots are ideal for growing Rosemary because they can survive from just a minor flooding. But plastic pots are less durable, so you might need to replace them once they become wet.
Once you have picked a good spot, you may now prepare the soil for Rosemary plants to start growing. This should be done about one to two months before you actually plant out your seeds. In preparing the soil, make sure you loosen it up using your hands before transferring it to the prepped soil. Then, use a spade to dig about two to six inches deep, depending on the size of your planting hole. After this, you can spread out the dirt using your spade, making sure to compact it so it would be easier for roots to spread.
After the soil for Rosemary has been prepared and the holes dug, plant the herbs inside. Rosemary prefers moist soil, so placing them in an area where the soil is well-drained is ideal. If the soil is too dry, the herbs will not be able to grow properly. Keep in mind that herbs do not like being crowded, so place some of them in a single area. Also, make sure to keep in mind that it is best to plant the deeper-grown herbs above the soil surface to maximize growth.
When the roots of your newly planted plants starts to emerge, you can prune them regularly. However, if there are growing shrubs or larger potted plants that you want to remove, don’t prune them immediately. Instead, wait for a couple of weeks before cutting down these larger plants. You should also check your cuttings to check whether they are growing properly. When it comes to pruning, it is better to wait for the plants to grow to their maximum potential instead of cutting them immediately.
When the time comes for you to harvest your Rosemary plants, you should consider two things – the health of your plants and the extent of pests infestation on them. As mentioned earlier, Rosemary needs a lot of sunlight, so you can provide this by installing a raised bed. The shade the plant gets will protect it from pests such as leafhoppers and lady beetles, which eat their leaves. You can also use garden netting to trap insects, especially the bigger ones. Finally, to further protect your Rosemary plants, remember to water them on a regular basis and add mulch to prevent soil erosion.