How often can rosemary be harvested?

Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and belongs to the genus Rosmarinus in the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary can be propagated by seeds or by cuttings, but cuttings are more common. The leaves can be used to extract essential oil, which is widely used in the perfume and cosmetics industry. So how often can rosemary be harvested?

How often can rosemary be harvested?

Rosemary can be harvested according to its growth conditions, and can generally be harvested 3-4 times a year. Specifically, the harvesting standards and techniques for rosemary are as follows:

1. Harvesting Part

From the top to the bottom, a color change point will appear on the stem, changing from greenish white to black. This color change point is the dividing line between the beginning of lignification of the xylem and phloem. The part from the top to the color change point (about 20 cm) is the best tender branches and leaves for processing.

2. Appearance and color

The principle is to harvest fresh young branches and leaves, and the branches and leaves should be processed no more than 2 days after being cut.

3. Harvest Season

It can generally be harvested from March to early November. It is not suitable to harvest in winter from mid-November to February of the following year. The focus should be on protecting the seedlings and strengthening fertilizer and water management.

4. Post-harvest management

After harvesting, it is necessary to strengthen fertilizer and water management, combine manual weeding with timely watering and fertilization, and apply general calcium or compound fertilizer to lay the foundation for the next harvest. At the same time, in order to facilitate ventilation and light transmission of the plants and improve photosynthesis, the plants can be pruned again after harvesting and the plant shape can be pruned into a cone.

Rosemary post-harvest management tips

1. Water and fertilize in time

After harvesting, rosemary needs plenty of water and nutrients to resume growth. Watering should be done in time, and general calcium or compound fertilizer should be applied to lay the foundation for the next harvest.

2. Pruning and shaping

After harvesting, rosemary can be pruned into a cone shape to promote the growth of new shoots and ventilation and light transmission of the plant, thereby improving photosynthesis.

3. Maintain appropriate lighting

Rosemary needs plenty of sunlight to grow healthily, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

4. Control pests and diseases

After harvesting, rosemary should be checked for pests and diseases, and appropriate control measures should be taken, such as using pesticides or pesticides to kill pests and removing infected plant parts.

5. Maintain a suitable temperature

Rosemary likes a warm environment, and the most suitable growth temperature is 15-30℃. In the cold winter, it can be moved indoors or into a greenhouse to avoid frost damage.

To sum up, rosemary should be harvested frequently, 3-4 times a year, to ensure healthy growth of the plants and maximize economic benefits.