Rosemary: outdoor cultivation in the Rostov region

The specific climate of the region affects the rules, requirements and timing of sowing specific crops. To grow rosemary in open ground, you don’t have to do anything special in the Rostov region. It is enough to patiently and carefully follow the instructions, and the spice will repay with an excellent, fragrant harvest.

Specifics of growing rosemary in the Rostov region

Rosemary is grown in several ways, the summer resident chooses the preferred one. A feature of the Rostov region is that the plant does not tolerate winter frosts, so it is recommended to dig it up for the winter or cover it well.Otherwise, breeding on the site of this spice has no special features. It is important to show more patience, and the result will not be long in coming.

Method of plant propagation

Frosts in early spring are detrimental to crops, so summer residents do not advise planting a plant in the ground too early. Presumably, for the Rostov region this period falls on April 1-20. When the threat of severe frost has passed.

The plant is propagated in 2 main ways: by planting seeds and cuttings. The first method is very time consuming, as it requires patience to wait for the first shoots of rosemary. But it's worth it, because the spice is used not only as a seasoning for the dish. But there are many other ways to use it.

Propagating a crop from cuttings is faster and easier, this is the most efficient and quick way that most gardeners use.

There are other ways to propagate rosemary, this is the division of the bush. Mainly used for home grown spices. The method is complex and laborious.

The plant is propagated by layering, this method is widely used for bushes growing in open ground.

Date of planting

The time of sowing seeds in the Rostov region falls on the first decade of April. Beware of extreme cold. In order for the plants to start producing healing spicy greens earlier, they are planted in pots in late February or early March. Or grow seedlings, then transfer them to open ground.

Plants are propagated by cuttings or layering after the warm season comes. Because rosemary is very vulnerable at this point.

Landing

In the open ground of the Rostov region, it is preferable to grow spice with planting material, as this method is more reliable. But summer residents who want to get a harvest faster and earlier actively use other methods of reproduction.

Growing from seeds

Seeds must be soaked before planting. It is enough to put in warm water for several hours. Swollen rosemary is sown in a container to a depth of 3-4 cm. It is advisable to use sand. The planted material is covered with polyethylene or glass until sprouts appear.

Don't forget about humidity. Spray the soil with a spray gun, preventing the soil from drying out.

Optimal temperature for germination, +20…+25 ⁰С. Then it remains only to wait. Rosemary sprouts very slowly, in the best scenario, the sprouts will sprout in 1.5 months, in the worst case in 2 months.

Propagation by cuttings

When using this method, rosemary yields much earlier. For this method you need:

Several 1-year-old spice shoots 8-10 cm long.
The lower leaves are removed from the shoots, the cut is treated with brilliant green. To improve the result, they are left in the rooting stimulator for several hours.
Then placed in a permanent place or in water until the roots appear. Instead of water, some gardeners use wet sand.

Further care is to regularly irrigate the land or spray. In order not to harm rosemary, it is placed away from direct sunlight. The first roots will appear only in a month.

In order for the bushes to give side shoots, they pinch the tops.

Layers

A layer is the rooting of a branch that is closest to the ground. It is bent and firmly fixed with staples or stones. Then the branch is covered with soil so that only the crown remains on the surface.

Water regularly, at the same time as the main bush. As soon as growth appears, separate from the mother bush and transplant. Several layers are separated from one bush.

Circumcision and grooming

No matter what area the spice is grown in, it needs some care. In addition to meeting standard agrotechnical requirements, such as watering, weeding and loosening, the plant requires pruning.

Every 7-8 years, rosemary completes its life cycle, the plant begins to fade. Pruning at the root will help save him from death. We need to remove all the branches and give the spice a chance to recover from scratch.

Shelter of rosemary for the winter

In the Rostov region, cold winters, rosemary can not withstand temperatures below -5 … -10 ⁰С. Therefore, in order to preserve this perennial plant, it is worth working hard since autumn.

As soon as the first frosts begin, the root system of rosemary begins to freeze. Summer residents recommend transferring it to pots and putting it in heat. An unheated utility room is suitable for storage. Rosemary will overwinter well at room temperature.

Growers grow rosemary in wide containers to reduce plant stress. This is necessary in order to take it back to the street in the spring and dig it in, thereby not harming the spice.

It is useless to cover with something, since a plant covered with covering material on top can freeze. This is due to the fact that the ground near the bush freezes, and it gradually, during the winter, dies completely.

Harvest and storage of crops

The plant has the greatest strength during the flowering period. At this time, its composition contains the maximum amount of essential oils that are beneficial to the human body.

Fresh and dried leaves are used for culinary purposes. Whole branches are also actively used, which are used to decorate ready-made dishes.

The leaves are carefully cut and dried in a dark, well-ventilated area. After they are completely dry, they are crushed and used to prepare spice mixtures. Leftovers are stored in a tightly closed container. Rosemary retains its properties for 2 or more years.

Growing spices in the Rostov region practically does not differ in any features. To get this product, you have to work hard. But the result is worth it. It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of rosemary, every person after its use will feel its effect on the body.