How to Grow Tuscan Blue Rosemary

Locate a planting site with well-draining soil, direct sunlight for six to eight hours every day and soil pH between 5 and 7.5. Loosen the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches and add 2 to 3 inches of organic compost or peat moss. Mix well and level the soil.

Plant the Tuscan Blue rosemary in the prepared soil. Ensure the planting hole is as deep as its root ball but two times as wide to allow roots to spread and grow. Tamp the soil around the base of the plant to remove trapped air.

Water the rosemary immediately after planting until the soil remains evenly moist. Avoid overwatering rosemary because it does not like "wet feet" or standing in pools of water. During the first year, provide the rosemary 1 inch of water every week so it establishes an extensive root system. Once established, water only when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feels dry. Use a soaker hose to prevent wetting the leaves, thus reducing chances of fungal diseases.

Fertilize the Tuscan Blue rosemary with a well-balanced, general purpose fertilizer in spring, before new growth begins. Depending on personal preference, use a water-soluble fertilizer or spread fertilizer granules around the base of the Tuscan Blue rosemary and irrigate deeply. Follow label directions for application rates to prevent overfeeding the plant.

Prune the rosemary after it finishes flowering in spring to maintain shape and make it bushy. Use sharp pruning scissors to remove long, arching or extended tips of the shrub, directly above leaf joints. Also cut old, damaged or diseased wood. Collect the trimmings and dry or add to mesh bags and place between your linen.

Inspect the rosemary for insect pests such as aphids, thrips, mealy bugs, whiteflies and spider mites. Spray the pests with insecticidal soap solution, horticultural oil, or douse them with a jet of water from a hose. Treat diseases such as powdery mildew and rhizoctonia with a registered fungicide.