If you want to warm time at the dacha or in the apartment all year round there was a bush of useful spice growing, you need to know what variety to plant, how to grow rosemary from seeds, how to care for it.
Description and properties of rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub or tree plant with needle-like thin leaves that are similar to conifers. Blooming rosemary is decorated with soft lilac, and sometimes white or soft pink, blossoming buds.
The leaves of this plant at the top are shiny, dark green in color, at the bottom they are matte and lighter. IN garden culture this plant mostly reaches a height of 50-100 cm, but can grow up to 1.5 meters. Under its natural growing conditions, rosemary can eventually grow to the size of a small tree.
The Mediterranean plant is valued not only for its taste and aroma, but also for the undoubted benefits it brings to the body. Thanks to the use of rosemary, digestion and the secretion of gastric juice are improved.
Rosemary is indicated for people with hypotension, as it increases blood pressure; it will help relieve nervous tension and stress. Due to the property of this medicinal plant improve memory, cerebral circulation, vision, water infusions are recommended for patients who have suffered a stroke. To prepare this medicine, rosemary is used together with lavender.
It also has disinfecting properties and is able to purify the air from a large number of microbes. Annual shoots and leaves of rosemary are used in folk medicine for the treatment of impotence, stomach colic, mumps, rheumatism, thrombophlebitis and other diseases.
As a spice when cooking fish, vegetable soups, salads, fried meat, mushrooms, poultry, cabbage, use young shoots, leaves, flowers in dry or fresh. This spice is also added to marinades. A pinch of chopped dry rosemary will add a pleasant taste to potatoes, soft cheeses, and pastries.
Garden varieties of rosemary
Now this plant has received wide use and in Russia. Here are the varieties recommended for growing in this region.
This is 2 large type: rosemary officinalis, which is an upright shrub, and prostrate rosemary, which grows in the form of a low shrub, rushing up only 50-60 cm and growing greatly in width.
Varieties of rosemary officinalis:
- Miss Jessopp's Variety;
- Fastigiatus;
- Tuscan Blue;
- Erectus.
- Lavender;
- Creeping;
- Corsican prostrate;
- Corsica Prostratus;
- Venzano Prostrate.
Features of growing rosemary
It should be said right away that rosemary in the middle latitudes of Russia will not survive the winter, as it will die from frost. Therefore, for the winter it is transferred to a bright room where the temperature is +5°C. In such conditions it is possible to grow rosemary. You can start a low variety at home and keep the plant in a pot on the windowsill all year round.
Germinating rosemary seeds
If you can grow rosemary in the warmer months of the year in the garden, start by sprouting seeds. They do not always germinate well, so they need to be soaked before planting. To do this, place the seeds between two cotton pads or into fabric. Place the container with seeds in warm room and make sure that the cotton wool or cloth is always damp.
For better germination, you should prepare an aqueous infusion of a growth stimulant, for example, Epin, and soak it in this life-giving liquid for 4 hours. Then the seeds are lightly washed and left wet for 2-4 days.
After this time, prepare a substrate from leaf soil, peat and sand. It is better to buy ready-made, intended for seedlings. Pour it into a container and pour water over it. Place the seeds on the surface of the ground, do not cover them with soil, cover them with a piece of transparent cellophane, and put them in a warm place. When shoots appear, place the container on the windowsill.
The germination of rosemary seeds may be poor due to the fact that they contain a lot of essential oils. As is known, this impairs the germination of similar seeds, such as basil and carrots. Therefore, it is recommended to first soak such seeds in water or a growth stimulant.
Excellent results gives rinsing. The seeds are placed in a glass or small jar, filled with water for 20 minutes, then a piece of gauze or bandage is tied to the neck of the vessel, the liquid is drained, and a new one is poured. After three or four such washes, the seeds are soaked for 4 hours in a growth simulator, then in water and planted in the ground.
Planting rosemary in open ground
In mid-May, when warm days arrive, the spice seedlings are planted in open ground. The plant is not picky about soil, it grows even better on poor soils, but an important condition is that they must be breathable. The place should be sunny, open, protected from cold winds on the north side.
Water the plant infrequently, as the soil dries, do not forget that it tolerates drought well. When the plant begins to bloom, the shoots are cut off, used to prepare spices or medicines, or dried for future use. Pruning is necessary for straight-growing rosemary, but prostrate rosemary does not need it, but will tolerate pruning well if you need new shoots.
Do not prune this plant to brown old wood, otherwise you may damage it. Leave about a third of the length of the young shoots, then the bush will tolerate pruning well.
Overwintering rosemary indoors
Around mid-October, when the temperature is close to zero, bring the plant into a room where the temperature fluctuates between +5+7°C. If rosemary grows in open ground, carefully dig it out. If damaged root system, then it may die.
In this regard, it is worth advising to grow rosemary in a spacious pot that has drainage holes at the bottom. To prevent the soil from drying out, dig a hole in the garden and place a pot there so that the soil in it and in the open ground is at the same level. In early or mid-autumn, you simply remove the container from the ground and move it indoors for the winter.
In the cool conditions of a bright room, rosemary overwinters well. In mid-May you will take it out into the garden again. If rosemary is grown in an apartment year-round, once every 1-2 years it is carefully replanted by transferring it into a larger pot.
Cuttings and propagation of rosemary
If you do not want to propagate rosemary from seeds, do it using cuttings. At the beginning of summer, cut young shoots 7 centimeters long and plant them obliquely in a pot with a light nutritious earthen mixture. Place it in a shaded place in the garden or on a windowsill in your apartment. After 2 months, rooting will occur.
Plant cuttings in the garden at a sufficient distance from each other, as prostrate rosemary grows up to 1.5 meters in length. Place seedlings of this species every 2-2.5 meters.
How to grow rosemary - watch the video:
Thus, previously this plant was grown mainly in North Africa, India, Southern Europe, the Philippines, and Crimea. Today, botanists have developed varieties that grow successfully in central Russia and at home.
Rosemary - fragrant, herb, its leaves and twigs contain a large number of essential oils rich in beneficial microelements. For this reason, the herb is used not only in cooking to add spice to meat and fish dishes, but also in medicine. An infusion of the leaves is used for some diseases of the gallbladder, it can relieve colic, and the essential oil added to shampoo will help grow long and thick hair. Growing and caring for rosemary in warm temperate climates is quite problematic. Even a slight frost of about -6 °C can destroy heat-loving plant. However, professionals advise not to give up the idea of growing rosemary, but to remember a few simple rules.
Choosing a site for growing rosemary
In the wild, rosemary grows in the Mediterranean, however, it is cultivated in Europe, Asia, Central and South America. In Russia it is grown mainly in southern regions, but with the right approach, the crop can be successfully cultivated in the central part of the country.
There are several varieties of the plant; the most valuable is the common (medicinal) rosemary; this species is cultivated all over the world. The shrub can reach a height of up to 2 meters, the root system is powerful, reaching into the deep layers of the soil. This structural feature complicates the care and cultivation of rosemary, since in regions where winters are frosty, gardeners prefer to dig up a bush in the fall and plant it in a tub. Throughout the winter, the plant will be kept in a cool room; this technique allows you to preserve the perennial until next spring.
Rosemary loves warmth and a lot sunlight, tolerates periods of drought well. For this reason, it is better to plant bushes on slopes on the south side, where the soil will warm up faster, creating an optimal microclimate. Great importance has a soil composition, it must be alkaline or neutral; the shrub will not grow in acidic soil. Light, sandy substrates that allow moisture and air to pass through are ideal conditions for growing rosemary. Water in the soil should not stagnate, so before planting it is recommended to place drainage made of crushed stone or broken bricks at the bottom of the hole.
Rosemary - growing from seeds and cuttings
There are several ways to grow rosemary:
- sowing seeds,
- rooting cuttings,
- dividing the bush,
- pinning a layer to the ground.
In gardening, the first two methods are most often used. Purchasing seeds is quite simple, you can visit a specialized store or order the coveted bag on the Internet, and the germination rate of the seeds will be from 80% to 90%.
Sowing seeds
Rosemary - seeds are planted from February 15 to March 10. Preliminary processing or stratification is not required. A spacious wide box and a nutrient mixture are prepared for planting. You can take soil from a greenhouse or peat and mix it with fine gravel in equal parts. It is advisable to sow frequently and thin out the plantings as the seedlings grow. The seed placement depth should be no more than 3 mm. For better germination The box should be covered with polyethylene, but several holes should be made in it so that air can circulate freely and condensation does not form.
The first shoots will have to wait a long time; they will appear no earlier than in 25-30 days. Caring for and growing rosemary from seeds does not require special skills; you just need timely watering and a little patience. When the young plants become stronger, they can be planted in separate pots with a diameter of 10 cm. Planting in the garden bed will be possible in late spring, after May 20, when the threat of night frosts has passed. If several specimens are planted, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 80–100 cm between them.
Rooting cuttings
If a rosemary bush is already growing on your property or at home, then propagating it using cuttings will not be difficult. It is best to plan planting rosemary in this way in September or early October. During this period, you can select the strongest and most developed annual shoots. The length of the cutting should be 10 cm, it is good if it has 3 or 4 internodes, the cut is made at an angle of 45 degrees, then powdered charcoal. In the southern regions, cuttings are rooted immediately in a greenhouse, and in warm temperate climates - in plastic containers. When growing a seedling at home, the cuttings can be placed in a jar of water, adding a drug that stimulates root formation. Then, after waiting for the roots to appear, root them into the substrate. As a rule, the first roots form already on the 7th day.
Planting a rosemary seedling in the garden
Heat-loving rosemary - planting in open ground will require special attention. It is necessary to prepare a planting hole measuring 50x50x50 cm and replace the garden soil with a more nutritious one. The substrate is selected depending on the natural composition of the soil, but the following components are most often used:
- leaf soil - 2 parts,
- peat – 1 part,
- coarse sand – 2 parts,
- crushed chalk - 25 grams per 1 kg of finished substrate.
All components are thoroughly mixed and placed in a hole, with drainage placed at the bottom. After 3-4 days, when the soil has settled a little, you can begin planting the seedlings. The plant is placed in the hole up to the level of the lobular leaves, sprinkled with soil, and finally watered. For better rooting, a temporary polyethylene greenhouse is built over the bed. After about 5 days, the rosemary will acclimatize and the shelter can be removed.
Features of caring for rosemary
Rosemary - growing and caring for it can bring a lot of difficulties to the gardener, but as a reward he will receive fresh green sprigs grown independently.
Watering and fertilizing
Shrubs should be watered occasionally and only during periods of prolonged drought. The plant is more likely to die from excess moisture than from its lack. It is recommended to take warm water, standing for some time in a barrel. For good growth and development, the beds are regularly weeded and the soil is loosened.
Fertilization is an integral part of care when growing rosemary. Can be used as mineral compounds, and organic matter, alternating them. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied in the spring, during active shoot growth. In autumn, emphasis is placed on formulations containing phosphorus; it has a beneficial effect on the cold resistance of the plant. From organic fertilizers You can use mullein infusion of reduced concentration (1:15) or vermicompost extract. In total, 5–7 feedings can be carried out during the season.
Pruning rosemary and preparing for winter
The shrub responds well to pruning. You can cut twigs for eating or preparing tinctures throughout the growing season. If the bush has grown greatly and more radical pruning is necessary, then the procedure is carried out at the end of March or in April, before active growth begins.
If in winter the region experiences frosts below -12 °C, then planting rosemary in open ground is undesirable. Even providing good shelter, the shrub may die, as it has low winter hardiness. In this case, it is recommended to plant the seedlings in large tubs or barrels, dig them in the garden for the summer, and bring them into a poorly heated but bright room in September. With this content, rosemary sprigs will be on hand all year round.
Video on how to plant rosemary
Growing rosemary in open ground in the Moscow region has its own characteristics.
This shrub in wildlife found in countries with warm climates. It can be seen in the fields of Greece, Spain, Italy, and the south of France.
Rosemary is a very common plant that is used in medicine and cooking.
It is not surprising that everyone who has their own land plot wants to grow this not only useful, but also very beautiful-looking crop.
Kinds
By appearance All varieties are not much different from each other. Only a true professional can distinguish them.
In our strip they grow common or medicinal rosemary. Rarely, but you can also find the following varieties:
- Dewdrop;
- Tenderness;
- Vishnyakovsky semko;
- Rosmarinus Prostratus repens (bushes up to 15 cm tall).
Beneficial features
Rosemary is a shrub that has evergreen needle-like leaves with a pleasant scent of pine, eucalyptus and light notes of lemon. Many people say that rosemary “smells like the sea.”
Reaches two meters in height. Quite spreading. It blooms with small purple flowers.
Benefits of rosemary:
- strengthens the immune system;
- tones the body;
- strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
- improves brain function;
- improves vision;
It is important to know: Rosemary is often recommended for use in the treatment of neuroses and long-term insomnia.
- relieves inflammation;
- relieves headaches;
- lowers blood sugar levels.
How to properly grow shrubs in the Moscow region
Don't forget that rosemary comes from warm places. Therefore, it is better not to rush into planting it in open ground.
It is necessary to wait for warm, stable weather. Rosemary will not survive frost. The end of May is perfect, then your plant will take root well.
Note: When choosing a place, pay attention that there are no drafts!
Choose a place that is as bright as possible. This plant loves the sun. The soil for rosemary needs loose, light, preferably limestone.
If you decide to grow shrubs from seeds, then they should be planted in February. The seeds are immersed literally a couple of millimeters into the soil.
Try to maintain the temperature at 20 0 C. Do not let it drop below 12 0 C. Do not overdo it with watering! The soil should be moist, but not wet!
Advice: The easiest way is to plant a potted plant purchased in advance in open ground. His survival rate is much better.
When the shoots are formed, prepare them for future transplantation and plant them in special pots. You can use ordinary plastic bottles.
Planting in open ground
- We make holes 30-40 cm deep. At a distance of 10-50 cm (depending on the height of the bush you plan to grow).
- It is useful to add a couple of tablespoons of crushed chalk to the hole. This plant loves chalky soil.
- You can add a little neutralized peat to the soil with which you will cover the plant. This will make the soil looser.
- Carefully remove the plant from the pot (without damaging the root system) and plant it in the hole.
- Fill with soil and tamp lightly with your hands.
- Water the plant generously with warm water.
- Cover with plastic wrap for 5 days until complete rooting.
If it’s cold outside, it’s better not to remove the film until it warms up.
Care
Rosemary is an easy-to-care plant. He is not susceptible to disease. Due to its specific smell, pests avoid it.
The shrub does not like waterlogged, flooded soil. Therefore, additional watering is organized only during periods of drought.
Gardener's advice: If possible, try to plant bushes next to an open body of water or in places where groundwater occurs.
The plant needs to loosen the soil in the first years of life. It is necessary to loosen the soil after watering, this will prevent the formation of a soil crust.
When loosening, remove all weeds! It is better to fertilize rosemary with organic fertilizers. Compost and rotted mullein are perfect. Fertilization is carried out annually in the summer.
Rosemary is a perennial plant. To help it overwinter in the Moscow region, it is necessary to dig it up for the winter and plant it in a prepared tub until next spring. This way you will be sure that the roots will not freeze.
Take note: To prepare the plant for the winter, it can not only be dried, but also frozen.
Fresh and dried rosemary sprigs are used for medicinal and culinary purposes. You can collect them at any time. This will not harm the plant, but will only help it grow even better.
Reproduction methods
There are four ways to propagate rosemary:
- Seeds.
- Cuttings.
- Taps.
- Dividing the bush.
How to propagate plants by seeds was described above. Let's take a closer look at the other methods.
In September or October it is necessary to cut cuttings 8-10 cm long with 3-4 internodes. Bottom part cleaned of leaves, dipped in a root formation stimulator, planted in light, well-drained soil. It’s better to put it in a warm place, protected from direct sunlight!
After the leaves appear, the upper leaves need to be pinched for branching. The lowest shoot of the plant is lowered as low as possible to the ground. Fix and lightly drop in drops, leaving the top on the surface.
Water the branch more often than the bush. When you notice that the plant has taken root, you can dig it up and replant it in a pot or other place. Most often used for propagating potted plants.
When replanting, the bush is divided, the cut areas are treated with crushed coal and planted in pots. So don’t be afraid and be sure to land on your personal plot this wonderful shrub!
How to propagate and grow rosemary, watch expert advice in the following video:
Under natural conditions, rosemary grows on the Mediterranean coast, collecting all its odors. The aroma of this plant includes notes of lemon, pine and eucalyptus, as well as a subtle breeze. But you can grow this exotic shrub not only on the seashore, but also at your dacha, for example, in the Moscow region, in order to end up with extraordinary spices.
The Mediterranean culture is not only a spice that enriches the taste of culinary dishes, but also an evergreen flowering bush that can be planted on garden plots and summer cottages for decorative purposes. In this article we will try to figure out how to grow rosemary in the countryside in open ground conditions.
Description and varieties of rosemary
The evergreen perennial is related to plants such as motherwort, lavender, lemon balm, mint and basil. Its few varieties sometimes reach from 0.5 to 2 meters in height. The leaves of this culture are needle-shaped and outwardly resemble needles. Rosemary has fairly small flowers that can be pink, white, or bluish-purple. If you look at a plant in a photo or admire it from a distance, you might mistake it for a carpet.
Everything in nature there are no more than 5 species of this marvelous shrub. Medicinal rosemary is considered the most popular of these five. However, it has several varieties. Among the most common ones in our country:
- Vishnyakovsky Semko;
- Tenderness;
- Dewdrop.
Foreign selection includes the following varieties:
- Albiflorus;
- Roseus;
- Prostratus;
- Severn Sea and others.
Rosemary: growing in open ground in the Moscow region
It is necessary to choose a place for planting so that it is maximally illuminated, but at the same time has protection from strong drafts. The recommended soil type is calcareous, and it should be fairly light and loose. Rosemary is a heat-loving crop, so it is recommended to plant the plant outside only at the time of year when the threat of night frosts has passed, then rosemary will take root well and will not cause unnecessary trouble with care. The most favorable period for planting is considered to be the second half of May.
Landing Features
If you want to grow large rosemary bushes, it is recommended to plant them at a distance of at least 0.5 m from each other. In all other cases, a minimum distance between crops of 10 cm will be sufficient. After planting, it is necessary to water the bushes.
Advice. Rosemary can grow in one place for several years. If it is necessary to uproot a plant in order to occupy this area with vegetable crops, it is recommended to plant garlic, onions or carrots in this place.
Cultivation care
Rosemary is considered a drought-resistant crop, but without proper watering the plant will not survive long. Necessary observe moderation when moistening the soil: if there is a lack of moisture, the plant will turn yellow, and if there is too much abundant watering– will get rid of excess leaves.
It is recommended to loosen the soil a little after each watering and be sure to remove weeds. In April or even March, start forming the crown of the bush. In the case when your green pet is already more than 7-8 years old, you should definitely rejuvenate the bush. To do this, it must be cut to soil level.
All varieties of ornamental crops cannot stand the cold, so winter in the Moscow region turns out to be disastrous for them. If you are growing rosemary in middle lane Russia, remember: it is impossible to fully care for this crop, if you do not comply with basic conditions for frost protection. The best option is to dig up the plant and replant it completely. winter period into a container. After which the bush is brought into a warm, bright room, in which the air temperature should not fall below 16°C.
If this is not possible, then you need to cut your green pet to ground level, and then insulate the root system with mulch from a layer of dry leaves or sawdust. It is recommended to additionally build a small dome made of pine branches.
Feeding and fertilizer
During the active growing season (spring-autumn), the plant must be fertilized regularly. Best fit mineral complex preparations, which will not be difficult to purchase in specialized stores. In spring, rosemary needs mainly nitrogen fertilizers, and in the fall - in phosphorus.
Some summer residents like to use cow manure to fertilize crops: organic matter is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5, but this must be done at your own peril and risk, since even a small overdose organic fertilizers can have a detrimental effect on the health of the crop.
Reproduction methods
Nature provides four ways of propagating ornamental crops:
- seminal;
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
Most preferred method Rosemary propagation is by cuttings, since it is highly reliable and has already been tested by many gardeners. In addition, it will not be difficult to master it:
The first roots on young shoots will appear in about 30 days. After this, they will need to be planted in separate containers, each of these containers should not exceed 10 cm in diameter. After a week, maximum 10 days, we pinch off the tops - this will activate the branching process.
Dividing the bush– a slightly more complex method, which is mainly used for rosemary grown in room conditions.
The remaining two methods can be safely used for open ground. In the presence of seed material(seeds) You will first need to place it in water for several hours so that the seeds swell well. Then we sow them to a depth of 3-4 cm in damp sand, after which we cover them with film or glass to form greenhouse effect. Do not forget to spray future seedlings daily, and also wipe off accumulated condensation from the glass. Seedlings should be kept in warm conditions at temperatures between 22°C and 25°C.
At proper care The sprouts should hatch within a month and a half, maximum two. As soon as this happens, remove the film and place the containers with young plants in a well-lit place.
Do not forget about regular watering, which should be carried out need well-settled water. The seedlings will be ready for planting in open ground as soon as they reach a height of 7-8 centimeters, but if you have the opportunity to keep them indoors longer, be sure to take advantage of it.
Reproduction by layering as follows:
- We tilt the shoot that grows closest to the ground, securing it in this position with metal brackets or a large stone.
- We dig earth on top of the layering, leaving only its top free.
- Such a shoot must be watered together with the mother bush.
- As soon as the top begins to grow upward, it is necessary to separate the cuttings from the parent plant and plant them in a container or garden bed.
Harvesting
It is best to harvest during the flowering period of the plant. This time is famous for the fact that the perennial accumulates quite a large amount of essential oils.
The most valuable product is considered common (medicinal) rosemary leaf. Both fresh fragrant flowers and dried leaves, which are rolled into a tube, can be used in cooking.
The tops of the plant look elegant and are perfect as a decoration when serving dishes; the remaining leaves are dried in the shade in order to make various spices from them. Even dried and crushed leaves have an incomparable smell, which persists for several years. And in order to extend this period, it is recommended to store the seasoning in hermetically sealed containers made of glass.
Use in cooking and medicine
The flavor palette of rosemary includes lemon, ether, pine and camphor.
Eating products that were prepared with the participation of a perennial is extremely beneficial for health, because rosemary can:
The main sources of benefits are camphor, resins and essential oils.
Rosemary is also capable of providing other positive effects with the help of its unique chemical composition:
- expectorant;
- diuretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antispasmodic.
That is why now, as in the past, infusions, decoctions and teas made from rosemary leaves and other parts of this medicinal plant are extremely popular.
Diseases and pests
It is surprising that the plant has enormous resistance in open ground conditions to various pests and insects. Most summer residents believe that this “immunity” is directly related to the strong aroma, which comes from the bush. The smell of this crop can repel most pests, which are quite difficult to control when they attack other crops: aphids, snails, slugs, spider mite etc. Be that as it may, this undeniable advantage greatly facilitates caring for rosemary in open ground conditions.
Note! If you grow rosemary not in open ground, but, for example, on a windowsill at home, be prepared for the fact that the plant will need your protection from powdery mildew or whiteflies.
Combining rosemary with other crops
When choosing a site for growing rosemary, you can stop at the place next to which you planted hot peppers, onions, carrots, various varieties of cabbage, string beans, peas and others legumes. There are quite a few good options. Rosemary has a beneficial effect on the growth of vegetable crops and improves their taste. Also, do not forget the fact that if you plant this ornamental plant around the perimeter of the site, then inside, where the rest grow vegetable crops, aphids, whiteflies, slugs and other pests will never get through. Avoid joint landing It is only worth it with cucumbers, which cannot tolerate proximity to fragrant herbs.
Rosemary is not easily exotic ornamental plant, the propagation and cultivation of which can be easily done both in the open ground and at home on the windowsill. The spice will be useful for many diseases. The plant is also widely used in the field of cosmetology in the creation of hair and skin care products.
This fragrant herb can be added to a wide variety of culinary recipes. Recipes for such dishes can be found in large quantities with photographs on thematic websites on the Internet or in cookbooks. Most harmonious rosemary goes well with cheeses different varieties , but the combination with red vegetables is not always successful. Such a huge number of advantages of this plant is nothing more than a good incentive for planting and growing various varieties of rosemary in your dacha.
Rosemary is one of the most exotic plants. However, despite its origin, it is quite easy to grow it on your own suburban area. This plant distinguished by its peculiar leaves, which outwardly resemble pine needles. In addition, rosemary is well known to everyone due to its aromatic and healing properties.
This spice is part of many Provençal herbs, which are widely used in cooking today. In addition, rosemary is very often used in cosmetology, and in some cases even in folk medicine.
If we talk about planting and caring for rosemary in open ground, today the plant is grown by many gardeners in the central part of Russia.
Spreading
Most often you can find rosemary in North America, Turkey, as well as in the southern parts of Europe and Cyprus. In 1813, this unusual plant was first planted in Crimea, or rather in the botanical garden. For a long time on the peninsula, essential oils were made from it, which had healing properties and an unusual aroma.
Today, caring for and planting rosemary in central Russia does not cause any difficulties. Although the plant prefers a Mediterranean climate, it tolerates Russian winters well. The main thing is to plant the seeds correctly.
Caring for and planting rosemary in open ground in the Urals also does not cause problems. The fact is that very dry winters prevail in this region. Such conditions are considered favorable for this plant.
Description
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves that look very similar to ordinary spruce needles. During flowering, light lilac, white or pink buds appear on the bush.
The leaves of the plant are covered with a dark green edging (as shown in the photo). Caring for and planting rosemary in open ground has its own characteristics. In our climate, on average it grows up to 50-100 cm. However, there have been cases when gardeners grew this flower up to one and a half meters high. In warm climates, the plant can even turn into a small tree. Of course, it grows best in the Mediterranean.
Beneficial features
Before studying the features of caring for and planting rosemary in open ground in the Moscow region and other regions of central Russia, it is worth paying attention to the characteristics of the plant.
As you know, the spice releases a huge amount of essential oils, the aroma of which allows you to disinfect the air in the room. In ancient times it was believed that this plant was able to fight evil. In addition, rosemary has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also helps to quickly draw out pus.
This plant contains a huge amount of folate. Women will best understand these unusual properties of rosemary, since everyone knows that folic acid has a rejuvenating effect. In addition, pregnant women need it. The fact is that folic acid helps prevent the formation of defects in the neural tube of the fetus, due to which DNA synthesis occurs.
The plant contains vitamin A. Rosemary contains much more of it than carrots. In addition, it contains about 40% daily norm vitamin C. This means that consuming rosemary is much healthier than cabbage or even lemons. It contains magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, and iron. The last component allows you to get rid of anemia. He also accepts Active participation in the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. Potassium is necessary for humans to control the functioning of the heart. Magnesium has an antioxidant effect.
That is why care and planting of rosemary in open ground is done not only in order to obtain an unusual seasoning, but also for health improvement.
If a person eats foods that contain this spice, he will notice that his digestive system has improved significantly. In folk medicine, rosemary is often recommended for hypotensive patients, as this plant helps increase blood pressure. In addition, it relieves tension and stress. It will also be useful for a growing body, since the spice helps to significantly improve memory, cerebral circulation and vision. If you cook it with lavender, the effect will be enhanced.
Men will also be interested in this plant. The fact is that annual shoots of rosemary are very often used in folk medicine in the treatment of impotence, stomach colic, rheumatism and other diseases from which the stronger half of humanity often suffers. Of course, we should not forget about the amazing taste characteristics of the spice, which is why it is very often used as a seasoning in the preparation of vegetable soups, meat, fried meat, fish, poultry and much more. Rosemary is also added to marinades.
Varieties
Today, this plant has become widespread throughout the Russian Federation. However, not every variety of rosemary is suitable for growing in our difficult weather conditions.
Those who want to independently plant and care for rosemary in the open ground are advised to pay attention to 2 types of this plant: medicinal and prostrate. These varieties take root well in the climatic conditions of the central part of the country and regions where winters are not characterized by high humidity.
Most often, gardeners give preference to the prostrate variety, which is also divided into several categories. Among them, the most popular are lavender, creeping and Corsican prostrate rosemary. This plant can grow only up to 50-60 cm, but this is enough to get this wonderful and healthy seasoning in your suburban area or apartment.
What does the plant suffer from?
If you start caring for and planting rosemary in open ground, reviews from gardeners will be very useful. According to experienced gardeners, spices can suffer greatly only from incorrect conditions content. However, there are a few signs to look out for.
For example, if white spots have formed on the foliage, this indicates that the spice is too moistened; accordingly, you need to water it a little less. If rosemary suffers from excess moisture, it will also have a less intense aroma. In this case, it is worth reducing the volume of water for irrigation.
Among the pests it is most often attacked by spider mites. To prevent its occurrence, it is worth constantly humidifying the air near the plant. To do this, simply spray its foliage periodically. If the mite has already settled on the spice, then you can only get rid of it with the help of chemicals.
Before treating the spice with aggressive drugs, it is worth covering the ground with polyethylene or other material, in this case dangerous poisons will not be able to penetrate into the soil and affect the root system.
Features of growing in the garden
Since spring frosts in the Russian Federation today are not particularly aggressive, rosemary grows much better, but it is worth considering that cold is destructive for it. That is why experts recommend not planting it in open ground too early.
The soil for rosemary should be quite loose and contain a large amount of limestone. It is also recommended to plant plants in places where there is the least wind. Do not forget that rosemary loves the Mediterranean climatic conditions most of all. This means that acidic and too wet soil will not suit it.
If the plant is located in a too shaded place, then the contents essential oil in its leaves will decrease significantly, but if this is not a fundamental problem, then you can plant it anywhere.
Rosemary grows best in conditions since these are the conditions that are sufficient for its well-being.
Germination of seeds
First of all, you need to soak the rosemary seeds by placing them between 2 cotton pads and moistening them with water. After this, it is enough to wait 2-4 days.
Next, the soil is prepared. To do this you need to mix leaf soil, peat and sand (or purchase ready-made soil for seedlings). This composition must be poured into a prepared container and spilled with water. After this, you need to spread the seeds on the ground and sprinkle them with a little soil. It is best to place a piece of transparent cellophane on top and put the workpiece in a warm place.
As soon as the first shoots appear, you can move the pots to the windowsill.
Planting in open ground
Considering weather In Russia, it is recommended to plant rosemary in mid-May or when the first warm days arrive.
However, it is best to think things through in advance. To do this, it is necessary to prepare the soil for caring for and planting rosemary in open ground in the fall. Before winter, you need to loosen it and fertilize it generously with humus.
After planting in open ground, the plant needs to be watered as the soil dries.
How does it cope with wintering?
By mid-October the air temperature drops to zero. During this period, it is recommended to move the plant indoors. In conditions of +5 degrees, rosemary will feel great. However, to do this, the plant must be very carefully dug up without damaging the delicate root system.
For convenience, rosemary is usually planted in large pots that are buried in the ground in a suburban area. Thanks to this, it is much more convenient to transfer the plant to wintering.
In custody
Rosemary is amazing plant, which can be safely grown in the middle zone in most regions of Russia. The main thing is to properly care for the spice and take it into the house in a timely manner.