Question
Hello,
I've read your website about the brown, dead patches in rosemary.  

Our plants are only two years young.  The is the second summer that they
have had branches die.  They always seem to be in the center of the plants
where when we trim the dead part out a whole is left.  

Is there something that we are doing to cause the dying off of the branches?  
Is there something that we can do to prevent the patches?

Thank you greatly!

Answer
Michaela:
Thanks for your question about Rosemary.  Assuming this is an infectious plant disease such as a fungus called Rhizoctonia, selected removal of the affected branches as soon as you see them is useful- don't wait too long.  If these plants are in pots, start your plants in clean soil (since this fungus can be ubiquious in many soils). This fungus also like to "hop" on stressed plants, avoid overly wet soils- make sure the plants are in a spot where they get a lot of air movement to keep the foliage dry.

Steve