Plant out your Rosemary this month — conditions are right now.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Log to journalMove seedlings outside carefully
- •Harden off plants
- •Prepare soil outdoors
- •Space plants correctly
- •Water well after planting
Watch Out For
Waterlogged soil kills rosemary quickly
ensure excellent drainage and add horticultural grit to heavy soil before planting
Hard cutting into old wood prevents regrowth
trim only the current season's soft growth; never cut back further than where you can see green leaves
Rosemary beetle defoliates plants
pick off by hand regularly in summer; they are distinctive metallic green-striped insects
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Rosemary in the UK
When should I plant rosemary outside in the UK?
Plant rosemary outside from late April onwards, once the risk of hard frost has passed. Established plants are frost-hardy in most UK regions, but young plants and tender varieties need protection in their first winter.
Why is my rosemary dying?
The most common cause of rosemary death is waterlogged soil or overwatering. Rosemary needs excellent drainage and will rot in wet, clay, or poorly drained soil. If your plant is yellowing and wilting despite moisture in the soil, check the roots for rot.
How do I prune rosemary?
Prune rosemary lightly after flowering in late spring or early summer, cutting back flowered stems by up to one-third. Avoid cutting back into old, woody growth — rosemary rarely regenerates from old wood. Regular light pruning keeps plants compact and productive.
Can I grow rosemary in a pot?
Yes — rosemary grows well in containers. Use a terracotta pot with drainage holes and a very free-draining, gritty compost. Terracotta is preferable to plastic as it allows the roots to dry out between waterings.
Member guides
There's more to growing Rosemary than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
