There are different types of savory, the so-called summer or garden savory is an annual and quite mild in taste. The hardy mountain savory tastes much stronger and is generally more robust. In the right location, savory is easy to care for.
How do I plant savory correctly?
To plant savory, choose a sunny, warm location with loose, humus-rich soil. Summer savory should be planted after the ice saints, while mountain savory is frost resistant. Make sure there is a planting distance of around 25 cm.
The best location
Savory comes from the Mediterranean region and likes it warm and sunny, you should take that into account when choosing a location, otherwise the aroma will not develop properly and the plant will grow quite poorly. The soil should be humus, loose and permeable. Mix heavy soils with sand or grit.
Planting savory
Since savory grows quite bushy, the individual plants should be about 25 cm apart from each other. Never plant the herb in the same place where it has been for the last four years, as it will not tolerate it. Summer savory is not hardy and should only be planted after the Ice Saints.
The most important things in brief:
- loose, humus-rich soil
- sunny and warm
- Plant summer savory after the Ice Saints
Sowing savory
You can sow savory in the greenhouse or cold frame from the beginning of April, and outdoors only from the end of May. The seeds germinate in light, so they are only lightly pressed. They germinate after about two to three weeks.
The Multiplication
Since mountain savory is perennial, it can also be propagated by cuttings (€2.00 on Amazon) or by dividing root balls. A divided root ball is simply planted in a different location and watered well. Cut a cutting from an adult plant and place it in a glass with a little water, not too much, so that the cutting doesn't get moldy. After a few days, small roots will form and the cutting can be planted in a flower pot or in the garden.
The Harvest
If you want to use the savory fresh, you can harvest it at any time. Shortly before flowering, however, the aroma is more intense than at other times. If you plan to dry the herb, then you should choose this time.
Tips & Tricks
Not all types of savory are frost hardy. If you are looking for a winter-hardy variety, then choose mountain savory.
