Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Rosemary is a Mediterranean native that demands excellent drainage above all else — it will tolerate poor, rocky soil and drought far better than it tolerates wet feet. Target pH 6.0–7.0 in gritty, low-fertility soil; avoid heavy clay entirely or raise beds by 30cm and incorporate 50% coarse grit. Plant transplants 60–90cm apart to allow air circulation around the woody stems. Set at nursery pot depth. Rosemary needs full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily — to produce the dense, aromatic foliage worth harvesting. Once established (after the first season), water only when the top 5cm of soil is completely dry — every 7–14 days in summer, less in cool weather, rarely in winter. Overwatering is the number-one killer. Fertilise sparingly: a single application of slow-release balanced fertiliser (10-10-10) in spring is sufficient. Prune by one-third after flowering to prevent the plant becoming leggy and woody from the base. Rosemary is winter-hardy to -5°C — pot it up and move indoors in colder climates.
