A new gardening question of the day appears every day of the year on the front page of Almanac.com. Below is the answer to one of the questions from our Gardening Questions and Answers Archive where you can find over 400 more gardening questions (with answers!).
Is it possible to grow rosemary in an outdoor bed in Nashville, Tennessee, without having to dig it up and bring it inside before the first frost? I am wondering whether heavy mulching at the base and a burlap cover over the plant would help it live through our mild winter freezes.
Since rosemary is a tender shrub that overwinters well in Zones 8 through 10 and Nashville is in Zone 6, you'll be taking a risk by leaving yours outside through the cold season. But it's worth a shot. Mulching heavily is a good idea -- try surrounding the plant with leaves packed into black plastic bags -- and consider building a cold frame for the plant. Also, if you can, put the plant on the south side of your house, up against a wall for protection, but in full sun. This may provide enough warmth to help the plant survive the winter.
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