If I had to pick only one herb for my garden (gasp!) I would have to pick Rosemary.
The smell is like none other and the multitude of uses makes this herb a rock-star plant.
But what do you do with it?
I will show you how to Grow, Cook and Use Rosemary, along with sharing the wonderful benefits.

How to Grow Rosemary

Like many other herbs, Rosemary is a member of the mint family.
It is a perennial (and an evergreen) here on the coast in SC, zone 8b.
Because Rosemary is an evergreen, it makes it a wonderful herb to have in landscaping.

• Rosemary likes to have 5-6 Hours of Sun Per Day to thrive
• Well Drained Soil is essential
• Rosemary does not like wet roots
• You can add mulch, stone, or crushed shells to help keep the water off the plant.
• If you keep your rosemary in a pot, replant once a year.
• Rosemary is beautiful in landscape and can make a great shrub
• Attracts Beneficial’s. Bess, butterflies and other beneficial insects love Rosemary

Growing Rosemary- Pest and Problems

Spider Mites

The main pest that rosemary attracts is Spider-mites.

• The best way I have combated Spider Mites is with a hard spray with the garden hose.
• You can also use a 3:1 ratio of water and rubbing alcohol in spray bottle.
• Another remedy you can try is 1 tsp of Blue Dawn dish soap in 8 oz of water in spray bottle and spray the mites.

Spittlebugs

If you see something that looks like someone spit on your rosemary then you are dealing with Spittlebugs.

This nasty goober producing bug rarely kills the plant but it will make it weak and therefore vulnerable to other disease.

• Spray with garden hose and remove all visible slime and tiny brown bugs.
• Spray with a neem oil insecticidal bug spray

Neem Oil Insecticidal Bug Spray

• 1 quart distilled warm water
• 1 tsp Neem Oil
• 1/3 tsp Dish Soap

Directions

1. Place water, then dish soap in spray bottle. mix thoroughly.
2. Add Neem Oil
3. Shake or stir until blended
4. Label bottle and use only for this spray
5. Spray on infected area.

Powdery Mildew When Growing Rosemary

Powdery mildew often occurs on rosemary because it doesn’t have enough air circulation and has gotten too wet.

Mildew is easy to identify because the leaves will turn gray.
Powdery Mildew will not kill the plant but it will weaken it.

• Remove the plant from the location and place in a dryer area if potted
• Cut affected branches or remove leaves
• Prune the plant to open circulation
• Spray with Neem Oil Insecticidal Spray

How to Grow Rosemary- Harvesting Tip

When you are ready to harvest your rosemary to make an amazing dish, make sure you cut your sprig all the way down towards the bottom of the stem.

Rosemary with branch off of the cutting. So if you cut towards the end of the branch, you will end up with a leggy and droopy plant.

How to Cook Rosemary

Rosemary has a tea-like aroma and a piney flavor.

Rosemary’s pungent, assertive flavor blends well with meats and side dishes.

Recipes With Rosemary

• Appetizer: Easy Holiday Appetizer With Cranberries & Rosemary
• Drink: Cranberry Spritzer
• Bacon: Rosemary and Amber Ale Candied Bacon
• Chicken: Skillet Rosemary Chicken 
• Prime Rib: Pioneer Woman’s Prime Rib with Rosemary and Salt Crust
• Lamb: Rosemary and Garlic Lamb Chops
• Pork: Rosemary Pork Roast 
• Rabbit: Baked Rabbit with Rosemary and Honey
• Roasted Potatoes: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Garlic: Easy Appetizer Recipe Herb Roasted Garlic
• Crackers: Easy Rosemary Crackers
• Breads: Almost Famous Rosemary Bread Recipe
• Olive Oil: Rosemary Olive Oil- How to

Benefits of Rosemary

• Rosemary has:analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anti-infection, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and expectorant properties
• Improves Digestion
• Improves Memory
• The herb is exceptionally rich in many B-complex groups of vitamin, such as folic acid,pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin.
• It is one of the herbs containing high levels of folate.
• Good Source of Iron, Calcium, B6 and it rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks.

Due to the antibacterial properties of rosemary, we use it as one of our key ingredients in our Antibacterial Cleaning Spray.

What is your favorite way to use Rosemary?

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