Tag: easy gardening

Rosemary, Part I: Cultivation

HERB PROFILE OF THE MONTH
CULTIVATION  |  CULINARY  |  HERBALISM

Featured Herb-Rosemary - grow it, cook with it and use it medicinally from katienormalgirl.com | #Cultivation

Rosemary is one of those fabulous herbs that is pungently fragrant and has a multitude of uses. It’s also very pretty to look at with tiny, thin leaves on sturdy woody stems, which makes some varieties great for shaping into tiny topiaries. Other varieties tend to stay low and stretch along the ground, making them perfect ground covers.

PLANT  |  GROW  |  HARVEST

Rosemary likes full sun and a quick-draining soil – indoors or out, in a pot or in the ground, this is what it needs. In warmer climates Rosemary can be grown outdoors as an evergreen shrub. In cooler climates, you’ll need to take it inside when winter sets in and frost is immanent.

In dryer climates start with a soil-based compost and bark to ensure that the soil remains damp but not wet – rosemary hates wet feet. In a humid climate, start with a soil-based compost and add a bit of sand to encourage quick drainage.

When planting rosemary in a pot, an uncoated terra cot pot is best. This will allow water and moisture to drain from the bottom and through the container’s permeable sides.

Rosemary can easily be grown from cuttings. Start them in spring or summer to give them enough time to develop before the cooler weather arrives.

Rosemary herb profile sample - original PDF available in the Download Gallery from katienormalgirl.comTo harvest rosemary, snip off the tender stems just above the woody growth and pull the leaves off of the stem for use either fresh or dried.

Grab a PDF of this info along with more cultivation stats (including pH, additional varieties, companion planting, and more) from the Herb Library in the Download Gallery.

Part II: Culinary – coming June 11
Part III: Herbalism – coming June 18

Whatta think? Will you give growing rosemary a try?

katie: normal girl

Gardening Journal: How to Sterilize Clay Pots

Garden Journal: How to Sanitize Clay Pots from katienormalgirl.com | #gardening #tips

Materials Needed: bleach or hydrogen peroxide, scrub brush, rubber gloves

I have always loved the look of mold and calcium buildup on my terra cotta pots. Unfortunately that wonderful patina can mean unsanitary growing conditions for your potted plants.  Give your plants their best chance for growth by sterilizing your clay and terra cotta pots before you plant.  This easy process will help eliminate the possibility of fungal or bacterial diseases that may develop.

Soak the pot(s) in a  solution of ten parts water to one part bleach or hydrogen peroxide.  I like to use my kitchen sink but you can use a plastic bucket or basin.  Allow the pots to soak for a minimum of 3 hours or you can leave them in the solution overnight if you prefer.  After the pots have soaked, put on your rubber gloves and use a stiff bristled scrub brush to thoroughly scour the pot, inside and out.  Rinse the pot and allow it to dry.

Your pots are now ready, and your new plants will have a great growing season!

katie: normal girl