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How to Prune Rosemary Like a Pro
Do you ever look at your rosemary plant and wonder “How do I prune this thing?” If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about trimming your plant as well as some other important tips to keep in mind.
Rosemary may need up to 3 weeks to sprout. Early growth is quite slow but that’s perfectly normal for rosemary. If your rosemary sprouts within a week, you can already trim the tip of the seedling within 4-5 weeks to promote bushier growth. That will make your plant more beautiful and produce more yield.
As rosemary is a long lasting herb, you may consider growing it in a Click & Grow pro cup.
How to prune rosemary in your smart garden
Step 1
Begin harvesting approximately 7 weeks after planting. Use a sharp pair of pruning shears to cut just above the previous pair of leaves. Do this regularly until the plant reaches its maximum age (21 weeks old).
Step 2
Always leave at least ⅓ of the stem to grow. After you prune it, new shoots will appear soon. It is ok to cut into woody stems.
Step 3
Prune regularly and your plant may even last for 26 weeks or longer.
For a visual reference, check out our tutorial:
If you wish to keep your rosemary around for even longer, you can replant it. Just keep in mind that after removing it from the smart garden it requires more detailed care.
Transplanting is one option if you want to keep the plant for longer and continue to harvest it.
Bonus tips for growing rosemary
Check the room temperature
One of the advantages of using a smart garden is you don’t need to wait for the growing season (early Spring) or live in a particular hardiness zone. You can grow Click & Grow rosemary indoors any time of year. For optimal growth, make sure the room temperature is between 18-30 °C / 64-86°F.
Give it time
Rosemary seeds usually germinate in two weeks but for some, it can take up to four weeks. Don’t be alarmed, this is perfectly normal. Rosemary grows slowly at first. Once it’s established, it will quickly grow many stems.
It tends to be a very tenacious plant. Some Click & Grow rosemary plants have even lasted up to 200 days.
Use the Click & Grow app for timed tips
The Click & Grow app is a handy tracking tool for your plants. It also offers information about how to grow any of the plants in our collection.
Once you've registered your smart garden and plant on the app, helpful tips will be sent at each stage of your plant's life cycle. The app will let you know when it’s the ideal time for pruning your rosemary plants. It will also tell you when to expect yields and what you can do with your produce.
Ways to use your rosemary
Cooking
Rosemary is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow in your kitchen. In addition to its balsamic taste, rosemary is a natural source of vitamins A, C, B6 and fiber. Here are a couple of ideas for using fresh rosemary in your cooking:
- Add some sprigs to boiling water and let it simmer away as you prepare dinner. This is an easy way to infuse your food with the great taste of rosemary.
- After dinner, use the boiling water that was used to cook the main course to keep your cutlery clean and free from germs. Add some sprigs of Rosemary to the boiling water and this will keep everything clean and fresh.
Why not try this rosemary themed recipe from our blog?
Aromatherapy
Growing rosemary is a great way to add fragrance to your home. It contains phytochemicals that can encourage clear thinking, improve memory and energize the mind. The smell of rosemary is also great for relaxation during meditation. Rosemary can even be used for incense.
Saving
If you have leftover rosemary, you can easily dry it and save it for later. Here’s a quick way to dry your rosemary using an oven:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay sets of leaves on top.
- Place in the oven at 120°F max. Keep the oven door slightly open.
- Check your rosemary leaves regularly and remove them when they’re crumbly.
- Store in an airtight container and label it. Enjoy your older rosemary for up to a year.
Click here for more ways to preserve your Click & Grow herbs.
We hope you enjoyed this post and that it helps you make the most of your rosemary. If you have any plant tips of your own, please share them in our Facebook community, Instagram and Twitter. Use the hashtag #clickandgrow so we can spread them further!
Images: Katia Seniutina/Shutterstock, Click & Grow