Cheryl, When a seed sprouts, the first part to emerge is the root. This root anchors the seedling in the soil and starts absorbing water and nutrients. As the root establishes itself, the shoot (stem and leaves) starts to grow upward toward the light. Sometimes you may notice the seed part being pushed out of the ground by the emerging shoot. This is a natural process where the seedling emerges from the soil to begin growing into a mature plant. If you’re unsure which way to plant the pre-sprouted seed, generally placing the seed with the root part facing downward will help it penetrate the soil easily. I hope this helps clarify the process for you!

Vicki, Rosemary is not the easiest herb to grow from seed. It is the one plant that I will buy in at the garden center instead of starting from seed. The germination rate is low and it can take four to six weeks before the seeds sprout. Pre-sprouting can help, but you should use a lot of seeds for a better chance of germination.