For the last 3 years, I have spent Thanksgiving in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is a good 4 hour drive from Fort Worth, sometimes six hours depending on the traffic. Anytime I visit San Antonio I end up inside an H.E.B grocery store. http://www.heb.com/home/home.jsp Love them! They finally have one in Burleson Texas, just a few miles from my house.
Last year I saw these Rosemary Christmas Trees in San Antonio at H.E.B.
I contemplated, but decided to wait until I got back to pick one up closer to home. No luck, sold out!
Today I went to H.E.B. hoping they were there, and there they were! Only $11.99! Then I found an instore coupon for $5 off! Deal!
Since I no longer put up a traditional Christmas tree, this will serve me just fine sitting on my kitchen table! I found a cute star or ribbon for the top now I need a more feastive ribbon to go around the container! And I can plant it outside after Christmas!
Here's what I found online about these Rosemary Christmas Trees:
Rosemary Christmas Trees
There's a new Christmas tree offering at your plant outlet, home improvement, variety, or grocery store, the rosemary tree. You can find them anywhere: potted rosemary herb shrubs that have been pruned into the traditional conical Christmas tree shape. They smell wonderful, but can you keep them alive after the holidays? The answer is: sure you can, but you'll need some tips to keep your rosemary alive and well until next Christmas.
Keeping a Rosemary Christmas Tree
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)is a half hardy perennial. Most varieties won't tolerate freezing conditions, even though they look like evergreens. The first rule in keeping rosemary is to protect it from harsh cold weather.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)is a half hardy perennial. Most varieties won't tolerate freezing conditions, even though they look like evergreens. The first rule in keeping rosemary is to protect it from harsh cold weather.
- Rosemary likes to go a little dry between waterings, but just a little. When the tips of the needles start showing some brown, and the soil feels dry, the plant is trying to tell you that you're not giving it enough water. This is a tip off that your plant needs more humidity too. Rosemary doesn't like wet feet or dry air conditions. Use a dish of pebbles filled with water and a spritzer to give your plant the moist air it needs.
- Keep rosemary away from drafts and your furnace vents. If you have to place your plant near a heat source, keeping it moist becomes doubly important.
- Give it good light, at least six hours a day. If your rosemary starts to drop needles, move it to a better light source, or place it closer to the window, but not actually touching the glass.
- Rosemary won't survive if it's allowed to sit in water, so make sure that the pot is draining well. Watch out for the decorative colored wrappers that often come with Christmas plants. They will trap water around the roots of the plant. Make sure that you remove the paper after you bring the plant home, punch holes in the paper to allow water to drain out, or remove the paper each time you water the plant, replacing it once the pot has had a chance to drain into your sink or tub.
- Placing decorative ornaments on a rosemary Christmas tree can cause damage to the stems, so use flexible wire and a light touch. Rosemary is a slow grower, and it will take a while for mangled branches to grow out.
- Turn your rosemary Christmas tree often so that it will maintain even growth on all sides of the plant.
- Rosemary will do well in your spring, summer, and fall garden as long as it receives full sun. It can grow in poor soil if you provide good drainage and a little lime.
- To make your rosemary tree a Christmas tradition, keep it potted all year. Take it outdoors in spring, and bring it back in before the first frost. Remember, a potted plant loses moisture quickly in hot weather, both indoors and out, so check it often. Rosemary doesn't rally well from being allowed to dry out completely.
- If you live in an area that doesn't experience harsh weather (zones 8 to 11), rosemary will make a good, dense shrub, and some of the new varieties, like the Arp and Nancy Howard can be hardy in cold climates. (Check with your retailer for care instructions on the specific plant you are considering.)
- Your plant will need some pruning to keep it in Christmas tree shape, but you can use the trimmings in the kitchen, so nothing's wasted.
Copyright S. Elliott
..................................................................................
..................................................................................
New comforter sets from Ross! Marked down to $40; I got the last two sets! SCORE!
I hope each of you have a wonderful, fun, safe and Blessed Thanksgiving!
Hugs!
No comments:
Post a Comment