When to plant or sow Rosemary?

Rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny borders, gravel gardens, or large containers. It tolerates sandy, loamy, and chalky soils but will not survive in heavy clay or waterlogged ground. If your soil is heavy, dig in plenty of horticultural grit or sharp sand before planting, or grow rosemary in a raised bed or pot filled with a gritty, soil-based compost. Plant rosemary in April, May, or September when the soil is workable and temperatures are mild. Avoid planting during frosty periods or when the ground is saturated. Space plants 56 cm apart to allow for their mature spread of 40–80 cm. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill with the excavated soil mixed with a handful of grit if drainage is less than perfect. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the roots, but thereafter rosemary needs very little water. It is drought-tolerant once established and prefers to stay on the dry side. Mulching is generally unnecessary and can trap moisture around the base, which rosemary dislikes. If you're planting in a container, use terracotta pots with drainage holes and a free-draining compost mix. Position the pot in the sunniest spot available, ideally against a south-facing wall where the plant will benefit from reflected warmth and shelter. Avoid planting rosemary in shaded or damp corners, as it will become leggy and prone to fungal problems.