Growing Rosemary

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23 Dec 20 Alyssa (USA - Zone 8a climate)
My family and I have been trying to grow rosemary for a few years but we can't seem to get them through the winter. We know they can grow well here as there are plenty outside the shops around town but ours can't seem to survive long enough to get established. We tried wintering them in the garage this year as we have cats and can't keep them inside the house itself but it didn't seem to make a difference. Is there a variety that's better suited to my zone that might have a better chance, or are there any tips that might help me keep these plants going?
28 Dec 20 colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Is it possible they're getting too much water and/or your soil doesn't drain quickly enough? Rosemary is pretty tough and drought tolerant but it doesn't like being soggy too long, especially in cooler weather. Try adding more grit to the soil so the rosemary can dry out between waterings. You might also ask one of those shops if you can take a few cuttings from their plants, as rosemary is pretty easy to propagate from cuttings, and that way you'd know you have a variety that does well locally. They should be happy to let you, as rosemary needs to be pruned regularly anyway.
24 Dec 20 Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Read the notes here, there are several tips to follow. Like do not overwater them especially in winter, they are a bit of a tough hardy plant, so don't water as much as some other plants. Have good free draining soil not heavy clay soil. They like sunshine so don't put in a garage, most plants need heaps of sunlight. And if you have lots of frost best to do a few cuttings for the next year.

Is it possible they're getting too much water and/or your soil doesn't drain quickly enough? Rosemary is pretty tough and drought tolerant but it doesn't like being soggy too long, especially in cooler weather. Try adding more grit to the soil so the rosemary can dry out between waterings. You might also ask one of those shops if you can take a few cuttings from their plants, as rosemary is pretty easy to propagate from cuttings, and that way you'd know you have a variety that does well locally. They should be happy to let you, as rosemary needs to be pruned regularly anyway.

- colleen

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