TomatoNut95 said: Weedwhacker HOW did you grow such gorgeous Rosemary?????? I can't grow that from seed, so what's your secret? 
Anne, unlike most seeds, for rosemary there actually IS kind of a secret; rosemary is notoriously difficult to start from seed and there is often a disclaimer on the seed packets about the low percentage of seeds likely to germinate. However, for years now I've had excellent success with starting it in vermiculite using a method that I learned from a member here (when it was All Things Plants, I think - or maybe it was back in the Dave's Garden days), Jonna Sudenius.
This method can be used for winter sowing, or for seed starting indoors. Use containers with no holes, which will retain the moisture in the vermiculite. Just press tiny seeds into the top of the moist vermiculite; for slightly larger seeds, sprinkle with dry vermiculite and then moisten using a mister. This method has given me great success with rosemary, much better germination than with planting in potting mix.
This is the note that I copied from Jonna's former website:
"Fill half of the preparation container with dry vermiculite and pour water over it until just covered. Then immediately pour it in the sieve, so that the vermiculite doesn't get too wet. It's very important to pour it into the sieve promptly after watering; this will ensure the perfect moisture level for sowing the seeds. Gently shake the sieve a few times to get rid of the extra water. Now it's ready to use.
"Now you can begin to fill containers with your pre-moistened vermiculite. Prepare as many containers as you'll sow that day.
Using a large spoon or ladle, begin filling the containers. The layer must be between one and four inches high, depending on the kind and size of the seeds you're sowing. One inch will do for very small seeds that need light to germinate; while four inches might occasionally be used for very large seeds. Gently press the layer with the bottom of another container to settle the vermiculite. Once the desired depth has been attained, it's time to sow the seeds!"
For rosemary I use about a 3-inch depth of the vermiculite because the roots get quite long in proportion to the tiny early seedlings. I cover the seeds that have been placed on top of the moist vermiculite very lightly with a little more vermiculite and then use a spray bottle to mist the top before closing up the container. Close the container and place in a warm spot and wait for your seeds to start sprouting, then move it under a plant light. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into small pots or cell packs filled with moist potting mix - I use a plastic fork to carefully dig the seedlings out of the vermiculite, and use the fork handle to make a hole in the potting mix for the root, then gently firm the potting mix around it, also using the fork handle. From then on they just need good light, and be careful not to overwater them. For reference, this year I started the seeds on February 8th and they were sprouting by Feb. 16th; I planted them in the 6-packs on March 6th. They do take a bit of patience, but it's a relatively easy way to get a lot of rosemary plants!
