Rosemary (Organic)
Southern Cross Certified Organic seed (SXC cert 26065)
Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)
Packet: 20 seeds
Rosemary needs no introduction in the kitchen, and as a plant it is a tough evergreen Mediterranean shrub with needle leaves and pale blue flowers the bees work all through the cooler months. Growing it from seed asks for patience, but a seed-raised bush is yours for decades.
Sowing
Sow seeds about 3 to 5mm deep in punnets of free draining seed mix. Rosemary is genuinely slow and uneven from seed: germination takes 15 to 25 days at 21 to 27°C and not every seed will come up, which is normal for this plant. Keep the mix just moist, never wet. Grow seedlings on until sturdy before planting out 60 to 90cm apart.
When to Sow - Australian Climate Zones
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Cool & Mountain: September to December
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Temperate: August to March
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Subtropical: March to September
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Tropical: April to July, though humidity is hard on it long term
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Arid & Semi-arid: March to May and August to October
Care
Grow in full sun in sharply drained soil, and add grit if your ground holds water, as wet feet are the one thing rosemary will not survive. Once established it is very drought hardy and wants little feeding. Trim lightly after flowering to keep the bush dense, and never cut back into bare wood.
Harvest
Start picking sprigs once the plant is well established, from about 4 to 5 months, taking soft tip growth rather than woody stems. It can be picked year round, and the oils are strongest just before flowering.
Sold as seed for home garden growing only. We do not sell this as a food, a tea, a herbal preparation or a medicine, we give no preparation or dosage instructions, and we make no health claim of any kind. Any historical information is offered as garden history only. Seek advice from a qualified health practitioner before using any plant.
