Here are 7+ things that you should know before planting rosemary

One of the great benefits of growing rosemary is that it does well planted in the ground as well as in containers. If you are going to plant it outdoors be mindful that plants do not handle cold well. Winter temperatures below 30 degrees can kill plants if they aren't properly insulated; in areas that see cold temperatures in the winter, it may be best to plant rosemary in containers and bring it inside for the frigid months.
No matter if you grow rosemary in the ground or in containers, it's important to know these things before you get planting.
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1. Pick a full sun location
When looking at locations to plant rosemary plants, keep in mind they prefer full sun locations that receive a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight every day. Rosemary will tolerate slight shade but does best in full sun.
2. Plants like well-drained sites
Unlike many plants, rosemary prefers to have its roots in drier soil that drains well and doesn't hold a lot of water. This somewhat drought tolerant plant will benefit from being planted in an area that has been amended with a lot of organic matter to encourage good drainage or soil that naturally drains quickly. Better Homes & Gardens walks you through the steps of improving soil drainage if your soil tends to hold onto water.
3. Growth is slow the first year
The first year rosemary is planted, growth will be slow. Don't overwater or add extra fertilizer to try to encourage growth. As roots establish plant growth will pick up, and take off the second growing season.
4. Prune dead wood in spring
As plants begin to grow in the spring, remove any dead wood to encourage new growth. This will help to encourage bushier plants with new, tender growth perfect for harvesting.
5. Mulch around plants
Add a couple inches of mulch across the exposed soil surface around rosemary plants, making sure to keep it away from the crown of the plant. Mulch will help to retain soil moisture in the heat of the summer and insulate roots in the winter, protecting the plant from the bitter cold.
6. Let the soil dry out between waterings
Water rosemary deeply when the soil is dry to the touch and then allow it to fully dry out again before the next watering. It prefers a drier soil and can go up to a couple of weeks between waterings. To keep roots from sitting in soil that is too wet and encouraging root rot, it's best to grow rosemary in terra cotta planters if growing it in containers. The terracotta will allow the soil to dry out more quickly.
7. Harvest at any time

Rosemary benefits from continuous clipping/harvesting. Feel free to snip sprigs whenever you need some for a recipe, or to periodically dry down stems for future use. This frequent clipping will encourage new growth and keep plants busy and healthy.
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8. Repot if lower foliage begins yellowing
Rosemary is prone to become root bound if grown in containers, which will negatively affect its growth. A good rule of thumb is to repot plants every year to reduce the chances of plants becoming root bound. If the lower foliage begins to yellow that's a sure sign it's time to repot (perhaps ahead of schedule) and move your herbs to a larger container. If you're unsure how to repot a root bound plant Fine Gardening can help you with the process.