Allow plants to grow to a height of 6 inches before you start to harvest leaves for cooking. Winter savory is perennial. And remember to leave some plants in place for seeds to form. Do remove sprigs of summer savory from the pot … Summer savory is a member of the mint family and tastes similar to thyme with a peppery accent. Over-winter container-grown winter savory in an unheated garage or patio. It’s a tradition in our family. Photos by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Tips for Growing Summer Savory. Summer savory is a half-hardy annual, while winter savory is a semi-evergreen perennial with a slightly stronger taste. Seeds are available in garden centers in early spring, or you can shop online and order a package. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Water moderately, but don't allow the soil to get too dry. Satureja hortensis is another low-growing plant and is related to rosemary and thyme. Summer savory resembles both sage and thyme in its flavor profile and is similar to both of them in terms of its pungency. You can expect this plant to grow … Summer savory wants a warm, protected spot in the herb garden, while winter savory is less fussy. The inch long leaves are much longer than they are wide and have a gray green color to them. Save From their intense flavors and fragrances to their uses in the garden attracting pollinatorsand repelling pests, these plants are beloved by cooks, gardeners, and herbalists alike. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Then you should really devote some time and garden space to growing summer savory. Summer savory grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches and features thickly branched stems covered in narrow dark green leaves. As well I add it to meatloaf, soups and many other dishes. Here’s hoping my quest for that… Read more ». It presents a hot, peppery flavor with notes of marjoram, mint, and thyme. It’s well-suited to container gardening, as well. Kitchen herbs like parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme are commonly grown in the home garden, but many enthusiasts miss out on the delights of … Gardener’s Path and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. Savory also has medicinal applications. I use dried summer savoury in my French Onion Soup. Long internodes create a tall, somewhat lanky plant. Plant seeds outdoors right after the last frost has past. Popular in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, and Romania) and in the Acadian cuisine of Atlantic Canada, it’s widely used to season many delicious dishes including: It also makes a delicious addition to marinades or dry rubs for grilled meats, particularly chicken, lamb, and pork. Product photos via Seed Needs and True Leaf Market. Soil Summer savory grows best in a medium-rich, sandy soil. It is an annual, but otherwise is similar in use and flavor to the perennial winter savory.It is used more often than winter savory, which has a slightly more bitter flavor. At a restaurant we had to ask what spices they used. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Now that I know what it is – I will try to use… Read more ». Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) is an annual herb grown for its culinary value. I was given a clump of an old plant and there’s much dead & woody growth at the bottom. Grow summer savory indoors in winter. What is summer savory? The plant has many thin, branching stems with a purple cast that are covered in fine hairs. For summer savory, we recommend this soil mix. Thank you. Allow plants to grow to a height of 6 inches before you start to harvest leaves for cooking. Be sure to let us know in the comments below! Use sparingly. While summer savory lasts for only one growing season, it’s thought to have the most superior flavor. An annual herb, Satureja hortensis is a low-growing plant that belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is related to rosemary and thyme. As you would expect from a plant of Mediterranean origins, it does best in hot and relatively dry conditions. Once dry, crumble or grind into a powder and store in an airtight container. The word “savory” comes from the old Latin word sapor, which means “taste” or “flavor,” and is used to describe foods with a salty or spicy flavor – a perfect description for this flavorful herb, which was used by the Romans as a replacement for salt when supplies ran low. Delicious in any recipe that calls for the more common kitchen herbs like rosemary or thyme, it can be used to season a variety of salty or spicy dishes – like these delicious savory muffins from our sister site, Foodal. A writer, artist, and entrepreneur, Lorna is also a long-time gardener who got hooked on organic and natural gardening methods at an early age. You can direct-sow seeds in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Thanks for your insight on this awesome herb! Begin to harvest leaves as soon as the young plants are 5-6 inches tall. Its flavor is also similar to that of its perennial cousin, winter savory – although the winter variety has a slightly more bitter, earthy taste. Where To Grow Grow in an area of full sun in organically rich soil with a small amount of compost added in. Savory grows well in containers and raised beds. Growing summer savory herbs is very easy. The seeds can also be started indoors about 4 weeks before the last frost, then transplanted out in warmer weather. Direct sow in the spring, or transplant seedlings in April once the risk of frost has passed, into a light, loamy soil. My Polish Grandmother used Summer Savory in her Pierogi filling mixture with rich cottage cheese and potatoes. Summer savory is easy to grow from seed planted directly in the garden or started indoors about 6 weeks before the last anticipated frost. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. An annual herb, Satureja hortensis is a low-growing plant that belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is related to rosemary and thyme. Look for nurseries that carry a good selection of herbs to find seedlings, or pick up some seeds and start your own. If more than one savory is planted as seedlings, they should be spaced about 9″ apart. One of my favourite spice blends is “Sea Salt & Savory” which is a blend of sea salt, ground garlic, pepper, onion salt and savory. It’s the annual equivalent of its close perennial cousin winter savory. They just smiled at us and said Savory! I’d like to start a smaller, more compact group. This is a great herb to grow indoors in containers, they are easy to grow and maintain. Good luck! Troubleshooting Savory It can tolerate both dry or moist soils, but not sopping wet conditions, and is also drought tolerant. Just got back from holiday in Bulgaria. I just told her and she said guess her family member came back from Italy last year with the wrong herb.