How to Cut and Dry Rosemary

Avoid tall spindly rosemary by learning to prune or cut this woody herb.
Use trimmings in your favourite recipes or keep and dry them for future use.
Here's how to DRY your ROSEMARY
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For all the details on how to pick and prune ALL your herbs get my new herb ebook at www.gettystewart.com/everyday...
ROSEMARY: Here's how to use it up.
Use your dried rosemary in this easy focaccia recipe!
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Excited about making Focaccia? Try these delicious recipes:
Oven Roasted Tomato Focaccia
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[@Nekronaizzers]

Finally a video that actually explains EXACTLY how to do it and focuses the camera so the rest of us can see. I had to go through numerous videos of people rambling and randomly cutting from a distance before I got to this one. Thank you!

[@GettyStewart]

So glad you found it helpful. Happy harvesting!

[@fgfg633]

I've been watching different videos on how to harvest Rosemary, and yours is the best. Not one video would actually show exactly where to cut. They just rambled on and on with a zoomed out video of them cutting Rosemary 🤦

[@GettyStewart]

Glad to have helped.

[@caitlinhenshaw6228]

Completely agree! This was super helpful and better for beginners like myself who don't not much (or anything) about pruning and how to make things grow. So Thanks!

[@mhutch708]

@@caitlinhenshaw6228 Couldn't agree more!

[@jmbisme]

Agreed!

[@mariemorganhenry9072]

Yes and I kept throwing them away because once I saw the woody stem I thought my plant was dying.

[@veronicamixter5901]

Short sweet and to the point...THANK YOU LOL...I've been trying to find how to do this, watching video after video that weren't helping lol.

[@GettyStewart]

Veronica Mixter yay, glad you found it helpful! Happy harvesting

[@FoodLover139]

YES. Its so awesome!

[@GettyStewart]

Sophie Parent thanks Sophie! Happy harvest!

[@AstridrLove]

Thanks so much! You answered every question straight forward no BS and now I can cut my plant without harming her 🙏❤🙏

[@GettyStewart]

You’re welcome! Hope she enjoys her trim!

[@meggo329]

I finally found a video that actually answers the question! Thank you.

[@GettyStewart]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped!

[@timesfong6143]

Thanks so much for getting straight to the point and visuals!

[@GettyStewart]

You’re welcome!

[@paganrabbit9558]

Thank you sooo much! Ive been looking for a video on how to do this, most videos i came across was of a different type of rosemary😍

[@GettyStewart]

Glad I could help!

[@deepasethi16]

this is the best video, short and to the point.

[@GettyStewart]

Thanks Deepak! Happy harvesting.

[@susususu3293]

Really the best video on how to cut Rosemary Thank you so much for your Help

[@GettyStewart]

Thank you! Enjoy your rosemary!

[@anneg1468]

Hi there. I followed the instructions 👍 Looking forward to its further growth.

[@GettyStewart]

Excellent! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the results.

[@kidstv3313]

Good video. straight to the point. watched few videos and none were showing exactly where to cut. Good work. Thumbs up!!! I wish i watched your video before I harvested my rosemary.....bugga

[@GettyStewart]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm sure there will be plenty more rosemary harvests in your future and this info will come in handy. All the best.

[@angelafraga8399]

Very helpful! Thank you so much.

[@GettyStewart]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. Rosemary is one of my favorites, especially on top of this rosemary focaccia www.gettystewart.com/rosemary-focaccia/.

[@mydear6788]

Great video. Thanks

[@GettyStewart]

You're welcome! Happy harvesting.

[@karenbcz22]

SHORT and to the point. Thanks. BTW, what do you use dried Rsmry for?

[@GettyStewart]

Thanks! I love dried rosemary for rosemary finishing salt, rosemary focaccia, on roasted potatoes, in soups & stews and roasted meats. Have a look: www.gettystewart.com/how-to-make-homemade-taco-seasoning/#search/q=rosemary

[@karenbcz22]

@@GettyStewart - THANKS! Great website!

[@GettyStewart]

❤thank you

[@bluelime9877]

your rosemary looks like a Scottish meadow and mine looks like a gnarled pine forest

[@GettyStewart]

Lol! The faces of Rosemary!

[@kencwaters]

thank you!!!!

[@GettyStewart]

You're welcome!

[@GreysonPrater]

Nobody else get anxiety @ 0:41 when the spider starts moving around?

[@GettyStewart]

Wow! Good eye. I’ve watched this a thousand times and never even noticed it! The joy of keeping herbs outdoors!

[@Lotisvillarin]

wow ilove your rosemarie!

[@GettyStewart]

Thanks! It's one of my favorite plants to scratch and sniff - such a lovely smell.

[@MrMattMohler]

Thanks for the vid. I find a healthy thick stalk then pinch the bottom and strip the leaves up to add onto my bbq adventures. The bush has been growing over the years and seems fine. Is there anything wrong with my method?

[@GettyStewart]

If you're happy with the way your plant is growing and you get all the rosemary you need - then you're right on track! If you cut green stems, they will put out new shoots, if you cut the dark brown, woody stems, they will not regrow where they are cut, but the rest of the plant will continue to grow. Hope that helps.

[@tmart4480]

Can we wash it before drying? I don't want to eat dead bugs/dirt/cobwebs

[@GettyStewart]

T mart oh yes, of course. Wash under running water or swish in a bowl of cold water. Roll in towel to dry then let air dry overnight before putting in paper bag. Do not put into bags until there is no surface moisture left on leaves, otherwise you will get mold. I only wash it if I feel it’s necessary for dirt or bugs. Enjoy!

[@tmart4480]

@@GettyStewart Thanks!

[@needfulthingscompany5368]

And how do you preserve the dry rosemary? jar? freeze? make into a powder? Good for how long?

[@GettyStewart]

For more details on cutting, drying and storing rosemary, check out my blog article www.gettystewart.com/how-to-cut-and-dry-rosemary/

[@postscript123]

I grew a gorgeous rosemary plant that I hate to have die over the winter. I'm in the north east, zone 7a. Is there any way for me to keep it alive over the winter? Cover it somehow? Thick clear plastic with a bit of ventilation?

[@c2dakeo]

Can you get root growth from those cuttings? Newbie and subscribed since your video was helpful. TFS!

[@GettyStewart]

Yes you can. The stem needs to be from new growth and about 10-15 cm long. Strip the bottom leaves and make sure the cut is just below the leaf node (the intersection of the leaves and stem). This is opposite of when pruning where you cut just above the leaf node. Place in water and refresh the water regularly. It should take about 2-4 weeks. Keep out of direct sunlight. Or you could dip stem ends in hormone root powder and stick in soil. Good luck.

[@shailendrabhardwaj7667]

Can you make a video please?

[@GettyStewart]

Not sure my rosemary is big enough, I had to start from scratch this year. Prairie winters make overwintering rosemary challenging! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[@angeliamessex4340]

Mine is the wood stem at the bottom, but as you go up it just changes to a purple ish kind of color with the wood still visible. None of mine is green. It’s more less a light pink purple with crystals on it.. what does that mean lol

[@GettyStewart]

Mmm, I’m not sure what that means, especially the crystals?

[@DennisLeeyeet]

So I bought a tiny pot of Shenandoah growers branded live rosemary from Walmart, and the new growth at the tips of the branches always have very curly leaves. Only after about 5 leaves down the branch do the leaves straighten out. Is that a varietal thing or is it not getting enough light?

[@GettyStewart]

Hi Dennis, It could be that growing conditions have not been optimal for your plant since it's been transported from the initial greenhouse. Give it as much care as you can and see what happens - good light (full sun), good temp (warm humid - mimic a Mediterranean climate as much as possible!), big enough pot so it's not root bound, water just right - not too much. I would transplant it into another pot and have a look at the roots to make sure they're not crowded or rotting due to overwatering. Good luck.

[@DennisLeeyeet]

@@GettyStewart Thanks for the reply! It might be the sun and the pot then. The angle of the sunlight at this time of the season isn't enough to shine directly into my apartment windows yet, so it's only getting indirect sunlight. It came in a really tiny square pot less than 3" long on each edge. It seems like the roots have already grown to close to the top layer of soil. I'll try to get a larger pot and some potting mix, and hope the sunlight situation can get better soon. I'm watering about every 1 to 1.5 weeks, after the soil feels completely dry at the top, and completely soaking the soil and ensuring the water drips through the pot when I water, so I think the watering is probably fine. Could that cause too much leaching out of soil nutrients? The plant isn't growing much in the recent week or so, even on the new branches emerging from the cut branches. (I've had it for about a month) Also, the leaves from the freshly cut branches smell really grassy when chopped up, and also taste that way when eaten raw. It does smell and taste of rosemary though when the leaves are rubbed gently, or when it's used for pan-frying meats. Is that a normal occurrence?

[@GettyStewart]

@@DennisLeeyeet Hi Dennis, it sounds like a bigger pot and more sunlight are the most important things you can give your rosemary right now. Use soil that offers good drainage and make sure your new pot has drainage holes. I would water rosemary in a container a little more frequently but less amount - I wouldn't let it dry out completely and always make sure it drains well - you don't want the roots continually soaked. Good luck.

[@dvdgalutube]

Does the theory that do not cut the woody part, apply to thyme as well? Thanks!

[@GettyStewart]

Yes, you got the right idea. The theory applies to any woody herb - you'll get re-growth on the young tender green parts, not the woody stem parts.

[@sarah.the.clumsy]

I know you said you won't get regrowth on the woody part, but that part still be harvested for use in cooking etc.?

[@GettyStewart]

Yes! You’ve got the right idea. You can harvest it, you just won’t get regrowth.

[@noraabb]

Hello I have no experience with gardening so this might seem stupid but after watching your video I realized my rosemary is actually all the wooden part so I don’t know where to cut since there’s no green aside from the leaves. Is this because it’s a different kind? I have no idea what to do please help

[@GettyStewart]

Not stupid at all! Every plant is a little bit different and we’re all learning something. I would try cutting one or two inches ( depending on how big your plant is) from the outer stems and see what happens. If you’re not seeing new growth on your plant this springtime (and it’s in a pot) you may want to consider changing location or repotting to give it a boost. Good luck.

[@jendegroff8961]

What do you do if harvesting before the winter? Same thing?

[@GettyStewart]

If you are expecting to grow the rosemary all year long, yes harvest the same way. If you are treating it like an annual - like many of us Northern gardeners do and you have no way of overwintering it - take all the green rosemary off that you can!

[@jamesdaniels3582]

Great video....I have a herb and I can not figure out what it is. Is there anyway I can send you a photo, and perhaps you can tell me what it is. Thank you very much. James

[@mintyaashka5837]

Melanie Cape Town what’s the name of the app

[@ryanrosenberg5082]

Drop it Like it’s Hottt I use PlantSnap

[@GettyStewart]

Hope you figured it out.

[@shreyashdas2023]

Agree 👍

[@GettyStewart]

Thanks!

[@bosslady2002]

I want to hang my rosemary sprigs using a rubber band wrapped around the bunch of springs & then twine...will the rosemary give it's beautiful aroma.i want to hang it on the side of the cabinet, and take what I need when cooking?????

[@GettyStewart]

You'll get the best scent when you rub it a little. But be aware that the longer it is exposed to light and air, the quicker it will lose it's flavour and scent. But, if you have plenty, hang some and dry some to keep in a dark, dry, airtight space to add to recipes and hang some for rubbing and releasing that amazing scent.

[@theemeraldletsplayer9770]

After it's done drying out, is it ready and safe to smoke

[@GettyStewart]

Not something I've tried and wouldn't recommend! But I do recommend this rosemary focaccia - SO GOOD! www.gettystewart.com/rosemary-focaccia/

[@NinjaXM0]

What should I do if my rosemary is all Woody?

[@GettyStewart]

Well, first congratulations - you must have had that rosemary for a long time! You took good care of it to get to that stage. If you want, you can cut back some of the woody stems, but there will not be new growth in those areas. Assuming your rosemary is healthy, it will continue to grow new shoots, you'll see soft, white or light green colored growth right at the very tips. Watch those tips carefully and as they grow you'll be able to cut them as shown in the video to cause bushy growth. If you need some rosemary for dinner, right now, go ahead and cut some of the woody stems - like I said, they won't regrow, but you can use them. Good luck.

[@NinjaXM0]

Getty Stewart thank you for the very useful reply. Yes I can indeed see the new shoots, they’re very slow to grow however. I’ll cut it down and follow your video. Thanks again.

[@KelABN]

Thank you. I was cutting mine in the WRONG spot 😬

[@GettyStewart]

You're welcome! I'm sure your rosemary will forgive you!

[@Fv234pop]

internet you are failing me. another video said cut as close down to the base as possible.

[@GettyStewart]

Well depends on what you’re trying to do I guess. If you want to keep most of the greenery and just cut a few sprigs, I wouldn’t cut into the old woody growth. Here’s my full article www.gettystewart.com/how-to-cut-and-dry-rosemary/

[@emilinebelle7811]

Hmm I didn’t know you could just leave it in the bag!

[@GettyStewart]

You bet. Just don’t overcrowd and make sure there is no water(water drops) on leaves.

[@emilinebelle7811]

Getty Stewart thank you!

[@mitziew4367]

No washing 😕

[@GettyStewart]

Washing is totally your choice as I mention in my article. I know exactly where this rosemary has been at all times, so I’m not concerned. Read more here. www.gettystewart.com/how-to-cut-and-dry-rosemary/

[@rickpereira5903]

Hmm that does not look like Rosemary...what is it?

[@GettyStewart]

Oh, it's definitely rosemary. There are different varieties and some get huge, but in our climate, we grow rosemary in pots for just a few months of the year. If we have the right conditions, we can bring it in to overwinter inside. But this is definitely rosemary.