Did you know.....Rosemary is widely used in cooking, as it has a strong flavour and goes well with Lamb.
Step by step guide to growing rosemary
Prepare your site
Rosemary can be grown from seed, but it can be a little hit and miss as to whether they germinate. It is much easier to purchase a ready grown plant from your local garden centre, from which numerous cuttings can be took. Rosemary likes plenty of warmth and sunshine so it best planted in a sunny position.
How to take rosemary cuttings
Rosemary cuttings are best taken in late summer. Softwood cuttings are easily achieved by cutting off the top 3-4 inches of a young shoot. Remove the lower leaves, leaving the bottom two-thirds of the stem bare. Using a sharp knife, cut the bottom of the stem to just below the first leaf joint. Let the cutting have a good drink of water and dip the end into rooting powder, if desired. Push four or five cuttings into a container filled with seed compost and water well. Rosemary cuttings will root in a warm humid spot, but it is best to stand them out of direct sunlight and draughts while they go through the rooting process. Water just enough to keep the compost damp. Softwood cuttings such as these take between six and eight weeks to root. Keep young plants in the greenhouse or in a cold-frame over winter and plant out the following spring.
Routine care of rosemary
Rosemary should not be overwatered as it thrives in warm weather. It should be protected from harsh weather during the winter and then pruned in Spring.
When to harvest rosemary
Rosemary leaves can be picked and used throughout the year, but growth may slow down during the winter months.
Storing rosemary for later use
As rosemary grows throughout the year, there is little need to store it for later use, although it can be dried and stored in an air-tight container.
Recommended varieties of rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis: An evergreen rosemary plant which can grow between 4 and 5ft tall. It has aromatic, grey-green leaves and is often used as an internal hedging plant, and looks wonderful in borders. Rosemary officinalis bears violet-blue flowers in May and June. Best planted in April in hot, dry soil.
Rosmarinus officinalis albus : An evergreen rosemary plant as above, but the flowers are white in colour.
Rosmarinus officinalis Miss Jessop's Upright : Another evergreen rosemary plant that bears blue flowers, and, as the name suggests, this plant is more upright than other varieties.
Serving suggestion for rosemary.....
Rosemary is an aromatic herb and is used widely in cooking. It has a distinct flavour and is traditionally used to flavour meats and vegetables.
Rosemary Sugar
Roast lamb and rosemary gravy
Rosemary bread
Rosemary and Thyme stuffing
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Growing Rosemary... 
