Question
Hello again, Mack,

I'm learning more about vegetable/herb gardening as time passes by and I have another question.  How well would rosemary work as a mulch?  I've also read online that it can be used as a deterrent against slugs.  Maybe the slugs dislike it but I don't know about deterring.  Do you know if rosemary works as a deterrent?

Answer
Dear Sean:

I'm late with this response to your question. I apologize.  

According to the website www.gardenguides.com: "The idea that herbs make good companion plants is not new. Some of the earliest written documents on gardening discuss these relationships. When selecting your companion plants you will need to consider more than which pests are deterred. Think about what each plant adds or takes away from the soil and what effect the proximity of strong herbs may have on the flavor of your vegetables. Try to avoid placing two heavy feeders or two shallow rooted plant types near each other."  Recommend you visit www.gardenguides.com for a handy chart that shows a useful reference Pest-Deterrent Herb Chart.

As rosemary relates to slugs......You can scatter rosemary sprigs around your plants; the strong herb scent has a deterrent effect on slugs.

Happy gardening!!

Regards,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee