Rosemary is one of the most exotic plants. However, despite its origin, it is quite simple to grow it in its suburban area. This plant is characterized by peculiar leaves that resemble coniferous needles in appearance. In addition, rosemary is well known to everyone thanks to its aromatic and healing properties.
This spice is part of many Provencal herbs, which are now widely used in cooking. In addition, rosemary is very often used in cosmetology, and in some cases even in traditional medicine.
If we talk about planting and caring for rosemary in the open ground, today many gardeners in central Russia grow the plant.
Spread
Most often, rosemary can be found in North America, Turkey, as well as in the southern parts of Europe and Cyprus. In 1813, this unusual plant was first planted in the Crimea, and more precisely in the botanical garden. For a long time, essential oils were made from it on the peninsula, which possessed healing properties and an unusual aroma.
Today, care and planting of rosemary in the open ground in the middle zone of the Russian Federation does not cause difficulties. Although the plant has a more Mediterranean climate, it tolerates Russian winters well. The main thing is to properly plant the seeds.
Care and planting of rosemary in the open ground in the Urals also does not cause problems. The fact is that very dry winters prevail in this region. Such conditions are considered favorable for a given plant.
Description
Rosemary refers to evergreen shrubs with needle leaves that look very much like ordinary spruce needles. During flowering, light lilac, white or pink buds appear on the bush.
The leaves of the plant are covered with a dark green edging (as shown in the photo). Care and planting of rosemary in the open ground have their own characteristics. In our climate, on average, it grows to 50-100 cm. However, there have been cases when gardeners grew this flower up to one and a half meters high. In a warm climate, a plant can even turn into a small tree. Of course, it grows best in the Mediterranean.
Beneficial features
Before studying the features of care and planting of rosemary in the open ground in the Moscow region and other regions of central Russia, it is worth paying attention to the characteristics of the plant.
As you know, spice emits a huge amount of essential oils, the aroma of which allows you to disinfect the air in the room. In ancient times, it was believed that this plant is able to fight with fel. In addition, rosemary has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also contributes to the rapid stretching of pus.
This plant has a huge amount of folate. Women will best understand these unusual properties of rosemary, as everyone knows that folic acid has a rejuvenating effect. In addition, pregnant women need it. The fact is that folic acid helps prevent the formation of defects in the neural tube of the fetus, due to which DNA synthesis is carried out.
The plant has vitamin A. It contains much more rosemary than carrots. In addition, it contains about 40% of the daily intake of vitamin C. This means that consuming rosemary is much more beneficial than cabbage or even lemons. It contains magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, as well as iron. The last component allows you to get rid of anemia. He also takes an active part in the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. Potassium is necessary for a person to control the work of the heart. Magnesium has an antioxidant effect.
That is why the care and planting of rosemary in the open ground are engaged not only in order to get an unusual seasoning, but also for healing.
If a person eats foods that contain this spice, he will notice that his digestive system has improved significantly. In folk medicine, rosemary is often recommended to take hypotension, since this plant helps to increase blood pressure. In addition, it relieves tension and stress. It will also be useful for a growing body, as spice helps to significantly improve memory, cerebral circulation and vision. If you cook it with lavender, the effect will intensify.
Men will also be interested in this plant. The fact is that the annual shoots of rosemary are very often used in folk medicine in the treatment of impotence, gastric colic, rheumatism and other diseases, from which a strong half of humanity often suffers. Of course, do not forget about the amazing taste characteristics of the spice, which is why it is very often used as a seasoning in the process of preparing vegetable soups, meat, fried, fish, poultry and much more. Rosemary is also added to marinades.
Varieties
Today, this plant has gained wide distribution in the territory of the Russian Federation. However, not every rosemary variety is suitable for cultivation in our difficult weather conditions.
Those who want to independently plant and care for rosemary in the open ground, it is recommended to pay attention to 2 types of this plant: medicinal and prostrate. These varieties perfectly take root in the climatic conditions of the central part of the country and regions where winters do not differ in high humidity.
Most often, gardeners give preference to an open variety, which is also divided into several categories. Among them, the most popular are lavender, creeping and Corsican open rosemary. This plant is able to grow only up to 50-60 cm, but this is enough to get this beautiful and useful seasoning in your suburban area or in your apartment.
What is the plant sick
If you take care of and planting rosemary in the open ground, reviews by gardeners will be very useful. According to experienced gardeners, spice can be severely affected only by improper conditions. However, there are several signs that are worth paying attention to.
For example, if white spots have formed on the foliage, this indicates that the spice is too moistened, so you need to water it a little less. If rosemary suffers from an excess of moisture, it will also differ in a less saturated aroma. In this case, it is worth reducing the amount of water for irrigation.
Of the pests, a spider mite most often attacks it. To prevent its appearance, it is worth constantly moistening the air next to the plant. To do this, it is enough just to periodically spray its foliage. If the tick has already settled on spices, then you can get rid of it only with the help of chemicals.
Since this plant does not attract a large number of parasites, it is not necessary to take into account useful neighborhoods when leaving and planting rosemary in the open ground. In addition, due to its rather bright aroma, many insects are not "greedy" on it, so the spice can be planted anywhere in the suburban area.
Before treating the spice with aggressive drugs, it is worth covering the ground with polyethylene or other material, in which case dangerous poisons will not be able to penetrate the soil and affect the root system.
Features of growing in the garden
Since today in the territory of the Russian Federation spring frosts do not differ in increased aggressiveness, rosemary grows much better, however, it should be borne in mind that the cold is fatal for him. That is why experts recommend not to plant it too early in the open ground.
The soil for rosemary should be quite loose and contain a large amount of limestone. It is also recommended to plant plants in those places where the least wind. Do not forget that rosemary is most fond of the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean. This means that acidic and too moist soil will not suit him.
If the plant is located in a too shaded place, the content of essential oil in its leaves will decrease significantly, however, if this is not a fundamental problem, then you can plant it anywhere.
Rosemary grows best in central Russia, since it is precisely such conditions that are sufficient for its well-being.
Seed germination
First of all, rosemary seeds must be soaked by placing them between 2 cotton pads and moistened with water. After that, just wait 2-4 days.
Then the soil is prepared. To do this, mix sheet soil, peat and sand (or purchase ready-made soil for seedlings). This composition must be poured into a prepared container and spilled with water. After this, you need to spread the seeds on the ground and sprinkle them with soil a little. It is best to lay on top a piece of transparent cellophane and put the workpiece in a warm place.
As soon as the first shoots appear, you can transfer the pots to the windowsill.
Outdoor landing
Given the weather conditions in Russia, rosemary is recommended to be planted in mid-May or when the first warm days arrive.
However, it is best to think through everything in advance. To do this, you need to prepare the ground for the care and planting of rosemary in the open ground in the fall. Before winter, you need to loosen it and fertilize it with plenty of humus.
After planting in open ground, the plant needs to be watered as the soil dries.
How to tolerate wintering
By mid-October, the air temperature drops to zero. During this period, it is recommended to transfer the plant to the house. In conditions of +5 degrees, rosemary will feel great. However, for this, the plant must be very carefully excavated without damaging the delicate root system.
For convenience, rosemary is usually planted in large pots that are buried in the ground on a suburban area. Thanks to this, it is much more convenient to transfer the plant to wintering.
In custody
Rosemary is an amazing plant that can be safely grown in the middle lane in most regions of Russia. The main thing is to properly care for the spice and take it to the house in a timely manner.