Landscape to Table

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is one of the few herbs which can look wonderful in-ground in landscapes in places such as plant beds and rock gardens. 

Although I wouldn't use one as a foundation plant or in the middle of a yard, they can look great placed properly and among some friends.

And, they have a fantastic scent and can be used in so many ways from seasoning foods to an aromatic for your home.

Pruning or trimming this bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is somewhat ethereal. Then, throw in the aroma of the nearby rosemary and this isn't a bad place to spend some time landscaping.

Rosemary is very hardy in the Midlands in all regards as long as it receives about six hours of direct sunlight and is in well-drained soil, which most of us have plenty of - it's called sand, or loamy sand.

Pruning rosemary is quite easy, particularly if you cook with it. Go cut back a portion of a branch and get a sprig, shaping along the way if you prefer.

Occasionally prune in the right fashion to remove dead or diverted branches. Of course, you may want to take some of the diverted branches and give them new direction. Rosemary feels woody, but is very flexible.

If cooking, remove the leaves by tightly running two or three fingers (finger nails help) down the stem in the opposition direction of the leaf projection and then slice, chop, dry, etc.

There are some advantages to drying certain herbs, but frankly, my rosemary goes from stem-to -stove in about two minutes for sauces, soups and salads.

If you have some good knife skills, or the right electric chopper or food processor (both I prefer not to use), then you can prep fresh rosemary for almost any dish.

It's also great to take a sprig, pruned to the length of a cut of protein, and use it on both sides in a marinade, sometimes letting it accompany the beef, pork, fish, etc. to the pan or grill. This hardy herb will make it through the cooking process, leaving that wonderful flavor.

Oh, I didn't mention mashed potatoes, grits and cornbread, yada yada, on and on.

Rosemary can also do well planted in pots (terra cotta preferred), with other considerations - watering, drainage and re-potting.

Rosemary is said to have some issues below 30 degrees, but I can't remember the last time this one did. Covering or taking a potted plant inside may be the answer during the coldest days of winter.

Inspired once again I think pistachio ice cream with very finely chopped rosemary sprinkles sounds pretty damn delicious. 

Back with ya on that one. 

In the meantime, get Mary.