An evergreen shrub, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), is a hardy herb that is ideal for your vegetable garden. Rosemary will grow equally well in the ground or in a container garden, as long as it gets plenty of full sun. Additionally, this Mediterranean herb isn't particularly fussy about its soil as long as it's well-drained. It is easy to care for and easy to harvest. Therefore, even inexperienced gardeners should learn how to harvest rosemary, because anyone can keep it growing!
Whether you use it fresh or keep it for later use in cooking, it adds a wonderful smell and distinctive taste to any recipe. The aromatic herb is also popular in the personal care industry and is widely used in soaps, cosmetics, and even hair oil.
If you want to grow rosemary in your garden or patio to enjoy an abundant harvest, it is best to grow multiple plants so you always have plants to take cuttings from. You can also keep this beautiful herb for long-term culinary adventures.
Therefore, today we're going to examine everything you need to know about harvesting and storing rosemary. Soon you'll be drying stems like a pro!
When should I harvest rosemary?
Once you know how to harvest rosemary, you'll always have a stash. Source: Hecuba's story
Rosemary plant is hardy and produces abundantly in almost all climates. It can be harvested at any time throughout the year.
Note, however, that the rosemary plant grows most actively in spring and summer. So these are the best times of the year to harvest. Don't rule out the possibility of cutting a few stems for the kitchen in the colder months, however! In colder climates, you may want to bring rosemary plants indoors as soon as the temperature drops to continue harvesting during the winter season.
Once the plant is established, you can begin harvesting rosemary leaves for daily use. If you want to grow rosemary to dry, it is best to wait for the plant to start blooming. At this point the leaves are loaded with oil content. Harvesting the leaves as soon as the flowers appear will give you the best taste and the most aromatic leaves.
As with most other herbs, the best time of the day to harvest is in the morning. Wait for last night's dew to evaporate from the foliage. Gather the leaves before it gets too hot during the day.
You can harvest the leaves if necessary. However, it is best to take cuttings from plants regularly, perhaps as often as weekly pruning if your plants are large. Regular pruning will result in full, healthy and bushy plants. The more consistently you prune to encourage new growth, the more you can harvest in the long run!
Make sure you do the final harvest of the season at least 2 weeks before the first frost. Harvesting rosemary plants often in cold weather can be detrimental to the plant. Larger and bushier plants are more likely to survive the cold months.
How to harvest rosemary plant
Harvest established rosemary plants regularly. Source: k8southern
Growing rosemary in your garden can be great fun and the plant will spring back quickly. The first thing you need to do is choose the right branches.
Look for branches that are at least 8 inches tall. While it is best to harvest pliable new tips or softer tips for fresh use, woody stems can offer fresh use as well. These woody stems are great when used fresh for their flavor and can serve as a skewer for meat dishes.
Never cut more than 1/3 of the plant at any given time to ensure that your rosemary plant stays happy and healthy. Use sharp and sterile scissors or secateurs to cut off the top 2 to 3 inches of the stem. Leave the rest of the length of the stem for it to grow back quickly and healthily. Let the branches grow at least 8 inches (8 inches) long before harvesting the same part of the plant again.
When harvesting for fresh use, stick with collecting new green leaves or soft stems. On the other hand, when harvesting to dry, you can do whatever you can to harvest the plants down to the wood base. Be careful not to take too much of the base at any point to ensure the plant can continue to grow.
How to store rosemary
Tie rosemary stems together in a bundle and hang to dry. Source: jamieanne
Have you ever tossed fresh herbs because they went bad before you had a chance to use them? Well, your fresh rosemary will never be wasted again if you learn how to store it properly. Here are some ways you can keep your freshly harvested rosemary long-lasting.
Storage of fresh rosemary
Store bouquet-style sprigs of rosemary in water to extend their lifespan. Fill a vase or glass with about 1 to 2 inches of water. Dip the cut ends of the branches in. It's a good idea to remove the leaves that land underwater so they don't collapse. Tent a plastic bag over the jar and put it in the refrigerator. Change water daily. Fresh rosemary stored using this method can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
You can also cool the stems for short-term use without moisture. Wrap the stems in a few paper towels to keep the foliage dry. Seal the wrapped herbs in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Use cut rosemary that is kept in a plastic bag for 3 to 5 days.
How to dry rosemary
Wondering how to store rosemary for long term use? One of the easiest ways to dry rosemary is to use a dehydrator. Be aware, however, that excess heat from the dehydrator can affect the taste of the oils. It is therefore best to choose a cooler drying method.
Dry your crop by tying the harvested stems together. Hang the bundle upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area. It usually takes about 10 days to air dry the needle-like rosemary leaves. When completely dry, strip the leaves off by sliding your fingers from the back of the stem to the tip.
Store your dried leaves whole, chopped, or powdered in an airtight container. Dried rosemary can last quite a long time, but use within the first year for best flavor.
Other methods of storing rosemary
Try freezing rosemary for another method of long term storage. You can freeze the branches one at a time. Start by washing the herbs thoroughly. Dry the twigs with paper towels and place them in a layer on a baking sheet to stop air drying. Once the rosemary isn't damp, place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour.
When the rosemary is solidly frozen, place the frozen stems in a freezer bag. Label the bag and store your rosemary in the freezer for up to a year. Use within 3 to 4 months for best taste.
There is no need to thaw your frozen rosemary before use. Simply remove the frozen leaves from their stem and add them to your favorite recipes.
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