The weather is frightful, the wind is blowing, and it’s snowing once again! I’m ready for spring. I’m always ready for spring. Maybe that’s why we tolerate this Midwest winter… the change is so welcome. As March approaches, it’s evident that my rosemary plant has seen better days.

I manage to keep it going on the kitchen counter, right by the sink for humidity and the sunniest south window I have. Not really saying much for living on the north side of a hill. Sometimes it makes it till spring, sometimes not. While rosemary is a landscape plant in the southern states, it’s a bit tricky here. I always start a few seeds in the winter to have a fresh supply throughout the year.  I really don’t like dried rosemary. It’s just too hard and bristly to put in food, in my opinion.

Rosemary seed is one of those special germination challenges. It needs stratification. So what’s stratification?  It needs the cold shoulder…the deep freeze…to be left out in the cold. The easiest way I have found is to plant it in some potting mix, in a container. I happened to have this great little plastic box on my counter with a couple tomatoes left in it. What a great recycle!  A little greenhouse in the making.

For starting seeds you really want sterile mix. Don’t waste your time digging up some dirt out of your yard. It could work…but with the time, effort, and cost of seeds; just do it right the first time. I use equal parts of perlite and spagum peat moss. It’s light enough for good drainage, and the moss holds just enough moisture to assist in germination. I mixed the two together in a galvanized tub and added enough warm water till it clumps together. I scooped it into the container and gently tapped it down. Then scattered the seeds. The packet contained about 20 seeds. I planted them all. I really only want about six plants, but just in case….and a gift of a rosemary plant to your favorite cook is always welcome.

I lightly sprinkled more potting mix on top, placed the whole thing in a zip bag, and then into the refrigerator. There it will stay for 4-6 weeks. At that time, it goes on the heat mat for about a week and the tiny rosemary leaves will emerge…well, lets hope so. Gardening is all about hope and faith. I’ll keep you informed on the progress.

About the middle of March I’ll tackle the rest of the seeds. They only need about 6 weeks for a head start. Timing is key. You want the herbs established, but not too large when you set them out. And definitely not root bound.

So, when I’m rummaging around looking for beets or rutabagas in my refrigerator and see that container of rosemary, my heart is lighter. I know the constant cold is helping my rosemary to grow…and maybe I can hang on for a few more weeks of winter.  By then the sun will warm my bones through and through, while cleaning up the garden once again for spring planting.