Summer Savory Growing Guide

Satureja hortensis

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost. Summer savory adapts well to slightly alkaline soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

No.

Feeding

Drench with a liquid organic fertiliser when plants show rapid growth in early summer.

Spacing

Single Plants: 20cm (7") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 25cm (9") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start tiny savory seeds indoors in early spring, and expect seeds to germinate within three weeks. Grow under strong supplemental light, and set plants out after the soil warms in spring. Or, buy plants at a local garden centre, and set out in spring.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Group several plants together to take advantage of summer savory’s fine texture. In full bloom, the slightly wiry plants stand about 45 cm (18 inches) tall.

Harvesting

With flavour resembling mild oregano, summer savory is a welcome fresh herb for the summer table. Harvest leaf tips in early summer for fresh eating and drying, because the flavour is at its peak before the plants bloom, when they are about 25 cm (10 inches) tall. Flower-laden summer savory tastes a bit spicier, and the little pink or white flowers attract numerous small bees and other beneficial insects. When plants die back in late summer, dry some branches in a paper bag and collect seeds to replant next year.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Summer Savory

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail