Prepare Your Rosemary For Winter In 5 Minutes! (2020)

Prepare Your Rosemary And Other Perennial Plants For Winter! In this video, I show you how to get your Rosemary plants ready to combat the cold winter days ahead using 3 simple strategies that should only take you 5 minutes! Perennial plants are some of the most rewarding and giving plants, while also being the most maintenance-free. However, a small amount of planning and preparation in the fall can set your Rosemary up to handle whatever the winter can throw at it, and be ready for maximum production the following spring!
Pruning Your Rosemary Properly: • How To Prune Your Rose...
Stop Fall Pruning!: • Do Not Prune Your Plan...

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Make sure that you don't prune these guys, even if tempted. Here's a video on the dangers of fall pruning!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX6anp6wjbyGo8U

[@townbell2248]

Does this also apply for lavender?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@townbell2248 yes, I grow lavender much the same way

[@MsFreethepeople]

Short, sweet and to the point. I love it when vloggers can tackle a broad subject in a short amount of time. I wish they all were as clever. thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thank you so much! Too kind. :-)

[@GingersnapLizz]

Thank you for telling people about watering. I live in Central Florida , and we tend to have dry winters. When we are going to have a cold snap, i have always told my customers, and friends to give nice deep waterings the morning before a cold night. I tell them how it hydrates the plants, and that the damp soil retains the heat better, how these 2 things help keep their plants from being damaged as badly as they definitely would be if they were dehydrated, sitting in cold dry soil. We don't get hard freezes where i live. I've always told them to use straw, pine needles, only natural mulches. No rocks or rubber, they have opposite effects of what mulch is supposed to do.

[@mattier5344]

Thanks for the video! I probably would have pruned it back hard if you hadn't said something. Seems logical, too make it work less, but it makes it work more, I guess, just when it needs to rest. I'm in zone 6 and I've had good luck doing basically what you say, and then poly covering it. My rosemary is doing great. I just cover them in thick clear plastic, weighed down for heavy winds. And then I leave it. The snow and rains make their way in, and the plants are basically sleeping, anyway. I lost a couple of plants one year when I lifted the poly and a week later, an unexpected freeze hit with ice. But they are well mulched with a double tunnel this year - clear green outside, should absorb a bit more warmth - and when we get down below freezing, I'll add the poly inside the green tunnel. And I'll just leave it. Mercilessly, until probably April. :) It does great, and the smell! :) is heaven.

[@djpfisterdrews2812]

Straw -- a great idea. After viewing your informative video, I was compelled to comment: "Gee, Rosemary comes in the house for winter! She doesn't survive in zone 5!" However, I did a search before commenting and discovered that there are cold-hardy Rosemary plants (!), which I did not know. It reads: "Alcalde (Rosemarinus officinalis ‘Alcalde Cold Hardy’) - This cold hardy rosemary is rated for zones 6 through 9, but it may survive the upper ranges of zone 5 with adequate protection. Keep in mind that even hardy rosemary plants benefit from ample winter protection, as temperatures in zone 5 may drop as low as -20 degrees F. (-29 C.)!"

[@HappyFarmsLa]

Mine is the same size as yours. Great advice.

[@abtsamroobe9633]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful advice with us 🌹

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching Abtsam!

[@TheCaithleen]

It’s Feb here in Nova Scotia I have a beauty in a cool place waiting to go into the garden Thankyou so much

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's awesome Kathleen! Are you keeping it potted, or straight into the ground?

[@jefffavelle857]

I'm almost hoping for snow this year for the Rosemary. I feel like they do better with less dead branches in the spring when they get a covering of snow to protect them.

[@JL_Entegra]

excellent tips

[@Donna_G]

I didn't try growing rosemary this year. But, if I had, I would have had to do this back in September. We got our first frost back at the end of September. We've had several more frosts since and now it is very cold. The current temperature is 11 degrees Fahrenheit. If I ever live in a place where I can have a bigger garden, I will have more space for herbs. I don't even have a sunny window sill with space for small pots of herbs.

[@karabates7823]

Ty for this

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers! :-)

[@Sorraiamustang]

Buying cold Hardy Rosemary plants to begin with can increase chances of surviving winter . Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp Is suppose to be a good choice . Great video , appreciate people like you who are direct and share great info .

[@katiriaedwina]

Thank you!! I am from the Puerto Rico. But, I am in South Carolina now and I dont know how to get ready for winter. So, I will be watching your videos for tips. I have rosemary, thyme, rose, cactus, pepper, mint, some others. Thank you!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Awesome Kariria, thanks for the support! I'm always here to help! :-)

[@carter_1]

Mint is a very strong weed!! Lol I almost can't eradicate it. I have 3 patches instead of the intended 1. In Indiana anyways❤

[@AnnaAnna-dg1yd]

Ah man, I really screwed up! I pruned my rosemary before I saw this video. It's August 28, 2023, I'm in Quebec (zone 4b) and nightime temperatures are now down to about 66 degrees F. (10 degrees C.) Am I done or can I still salvage this mess? I grow rosemary and thyme in pots. Should I leave them outside or bring them in for the winter, giving them light and room-temperature conditions? By the way, my childhood friend, who now lives in BC, told me about your channel. She's been with you from the beginning. I went and checked out your video on thyme since I pruned those too. Your content is amazing. It's clear, to the point and just long enough. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your wisedom! Big hugs sent your way! 😊

[@wcmeric4468]

Love the video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@CherishEaDay]

Question: do you have a video on how you prepare and store grass clippings leaves Etc to be used as mulch? Ty

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You definitely want to use them as you cut them. They don't store well.

[@james_loney]

I have a wonderful rosemary bush in a big Chinese ornamental pot and have to bring it inside and put it on my (heated but cool) sunporch over the winter. Here in the Catskill Mountains the 10 degree 30mph winds would otherwise kill it. Last winter the plant did fine on the porch but also began to grow purply and splindly growth during Jan/Feb/March. Is that a problem? Is there any way to stop the growth perhaps on spindly stems so that the plant just rests i winter and begins again to grow hard and fragrant spikes in late April? I love my plant so much...

[@garyelderman1229]

How cold can we expect to withstand? Saskatchewan cold? This is almost too good to be true. Great advice. Is there a limit as to how much straw that is to be applied??

[@danmax2011]

are those grass mulch?

[@sn232]

I mulched, placed a large tomato cage over it upside down, and covered that with a double layer of burlap.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nice! Should be snug!

[@supersleuth3161]

I just bought a small rosemary plant . I'm in Michigan, do I just keep them under grow lights or on a south facing window for the winter? Take them outside after danger of snow/frost?

[@nancyspears8781]

Our Rosemary has turned very brown after this hard freeze! Should I prune them back this Spring?

[@palmsometrees]

I just bought my first rosemary bush I live in Massachusetts we have some rough winters would theses methods work over here if I plant it in the ground? Or should I go out and get a big pot?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely! If you bought the plant locally, the variety should be able to take the winter with a little care!

[@mikemike9747]

great vid, do you recommend wrapping/covering 100% of the plant in burlap? or filling in to half the plant with mulch? I've heard this helps. Put mine in this spring so it will be their first winter. About 14 inches high at time of writing, gettting ready to trim in another week or to be 4 weeks ahead of first frost

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey mike x2, I prefer the mulch loose, but burlap works as well if you are expecting harsher winters.

[@carter_1]

​@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsI live in southern Indiana and keep losing my "zone hardy" rosemary. I even moved it to my flowerbed along the house!! These tips hopefully help. And August? Should be my last trim? Maybe I've been harvesting wrong & shouldn't look at it as a harvest. Although I honestly don't take much because I want it to get bigger. Thank you for the mulch idea. I sure haven't done that as thick either!

[@rgraz4929]

I'm in zone 7 and my rosemary is supposed to be good down to 20F but it gets way colder in the winters. I covered them with milky clear plastic bags down to the ground with mulch on the ground. However it builds up too much condensation and because the plastic bags are kind of a tight fit, the outer branch tips are constantly touching moisture and caused some of the tips to blacken, but most of the plant still looks healthy. What else can I use to cover the plants to trap some of the ground's warmth? Thanks so much!!

[@Yeshuaschosen]

I just built a small unheated greenhouse out of pvc pipe for rosemary I started from cuttings back in May. Should I bring them all inside or are they tough enough to stand the cold winter without any protection but straw? I wrapped the planters with 1 layer of bubblewrap and thats all I've done so far.Thank you so much!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Patricia, its all about age and how advanced they are. They won't hurt staying in the unheated greenhouse and likely they could even grow outside. As long as they are rooted and growing, they'll be ok. But if they are young and not hardened off properly, that could be fatal for them.

[@Yeshuaschosen]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you! I provided heat last winter when the temp dropped below 34f. This year I won't be adding any heat. 1.5 years old so maybe a straw mulch is all they need this winter thanks!

[@219SandPond]

What part of the country do you live in? It's way too cold in here in NH to keep Rosemary outside.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

I’m afraid I lost my huge, beautiful rosemary. I’d pruned dead branches in late summer/early fall. I’m in the Deep South so I’ve never winterized my rosemary because our winters are mild and my plant had always bloomed profusely in late January through February, as it had throughout the year. We had a sudden freeze and the temperature went from 46 degrees to six degrees in under five hours, yikes! It had been raining - a lot, and it always had plenty of water where it is, next to the patio and house. I looked out the next day to see everything on my shrub gray. Gray! I’m sick, I’ve had that plant for ten years and it has the most beautiful, twisted, gnarled trunk. What do I do, is it dead now? I’m almost in tears😢.

[@TaiwanMomLateisha]

May I ask: which zone are you in? I am in Zone 5 and sometimes it's -20F...can rosemary survive? Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I'm in 9b. Rosemary can tolerate quite cold, but you'll definitely have to source out a specific variety for your area

[@parrotsandmore7446]

I’m in zone 5B! Did your rosemary survive the winter?

[@TaiwanMomLateisha]

@@parrotsandmore7446 I believe if I put them outdoor, it would die. So I move them to my polytunnel every winter. They survive every winter even no heat/protection for my rosemary pot in my small green house.

[@christenpaluszak3034]

What if your rosemary plants aren't very big before winter comes? I have a few in containers that didn't take off very well. Still mulch them and hope they last the winter?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Christen... If you have young ones that aren't super established, it could be wise to maybe bring them indoors.

[@lisadicolli6689]

My Rosemary bush is bare dry and brown . Is it dead . I had a lot of pest ( lil white flying bugs ) causing my plant tonecome yellow spotted . I never saw rosemary get this way .

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Dang, sorry to hear that Lisa. Insects definitely attack plants that are already having a bad time, often making it worse. Is there any green parts left?

[@bella4life505]

Mature Rosemary turned dark after an untypical long freeze in zone 8. 1. Is it likely to come back if cut completely to the ground (new shoots)?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Oh wow, no way. Leave it until spring to see what is still alive if anything. If nothing sprouts, dig it up and see if the core/root system is still living. They are pretty hardy, my fingers are crossed for you!

[@Yeshuaschosen]

Update? I'm hoping it survived!

[@bella4life505]

@@Yeshuaschosen unfortunately the rosemary did not come back. However, I replaced it and the new rosemary is thriving.

[@carrahful]

So what do they look like from winter to spring i have 5 plants that are tall and quite large for first year and afraid to prune i have no idea how to get them ready for spring note mine r not green anymore or is it too late

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

In my area, they look like the thumbnail to this video. They are never not green. If they've gone brown, prune off those branches because they are dead. Rosemary is an evergreen plant.

[@brianshissler3263]

Completely forgot to winterize my rosemary. Its pretty snowy and cold here, but bringing them is not an option even though they are potted. I have seen advice to not cut them back, but to mulch, but also some people say to cut it back to 3 inches tall. Which is the right way?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Brian, I've found trimming in the early fall is fine....cutting them back while you're IN winter? I would advise against it. Cheers.

[@brianshissler3263]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms ok, I will leave them be until at least spring. Thanks for the advice!

[@doloresking7269]

I have a rosemary which is growing out of control. We live in zone 7b when can I prune?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hi Dolores, you can prune any time of the year. I try to prune in the spring so I don't stimulate new growth in the dead of winter. Seems to work better. 🙂

[@TheCaithleen]

It’s in a pot for the next two months hope it can go out in May in a warm spot

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Or even April! Depending on where you live. :-)

[@juliecut]

We've encountered first frost already and my rosemary and oregano are both small plants yet. Should we bring ours in for the winter?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Julia, I wouldn't. Both are quite hardy and are just fine to live outdoors over winter. Rosemary will still be harvestable....Oregano will definitely go dormant.

[@juliecut]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks. We have lots of good leaves to mulch with. Not sure how. Just around the base? 4 to 6 " deep? Thanks for your help. Looking forward to watching all your videos.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@juliecut Exactly. All around the base of the plant in a 2-3 foot radius. 2-6 inches deep and you're gravy! :-)

[@IoveYAHUAH]

I live in Kentucky. Right now my plant is thriving, It is surrounded by pebble rocks. Do I need to still add the straw or mulch?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's great! I would mulch with a nice bark for aesthetics or straw for cost efficiency, whichever you prefer!

[@IoveYAHUAH]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you.

[@donnacason1607]

What zone are you doing this in?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Donna, I am in zone 9b. Same as Seattle.

[@jerry-rn4bu]

What grow zone are you in

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

9b

[@robertmorley3609]

Time for bed!

[@Alex-lf9mq]

can rosemary in pot be growed outside in canada during winter?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yup. I'm in Canada and the Rosemary in the video is in the ground and it was filmed in tune winter! ;)

[@Alex-lf9mq]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms in which province are you living, BC?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@Alex-lf9mq yeah, Victoria. BC

[@Alex-lf9mq]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I got it, It’s not Canada, it’s the tropics. It’s 20℃ warmer in winter in your place.

[@rozcoreyclark]

@@Alex-lf9mq lol yep, Not the same winter on the east coast of Canada for sure!

[@MichaelRei99]

I had a beautiful Rosemary plant die on me during the Winter. The ground got saturated with water then the ground froze. ☹️

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

The worst Mike! They are such tough plants....but when their roots get wet, watch out...its usually bad news. :-(

[@fjwrt]

What zone do you live in?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

9b

[@otherproject]

What zone are you in?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Kevin, zone 9b...roughly the same as Seattle.

[@otherproject]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Also the same as much of Texas. Thanks.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@otherproject yeah, even though I'm up in Canada, being right on the coast really moderates my winter temperature extremes

[@lowenbad]

Our garden people pruned our rosemary in the dead of winter and killed it. 😢