Summer Savory

What Summer Savory is

Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) is an annual herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Summer Savory is a garden annual that produces large quantities of small leaves which, when dried and removed from the stem, make the well-known spice.

This spice can be used almost anywhere in cooking, giving dishes a truly unique flavour.

Summer Savory has numerous properties, such as improving gastrointestinal function, strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Summer Savory is a classic savoury spice — in spiced salt blends, beans, kebabs and stuffed vine leaves.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 87%
• Seeds per packet: 1105–1495 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: Netherlands
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Flowering: June and July
• Harvest: July – September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Summer Savory

Summer Savory seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower in June and July. Harvest in July – September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Summer Savory

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm (in light)
• Spacing: 20–25 cm
• Germination: 10–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Start indoors in pots from March onwards. Sow outdoors from April to mid June. Summer Savory needs light to germinate. So press the seeds lightly into the soil and keep them moist. The plant likes loose soils and a warm, sunny, sheltered spot. It can survive temporary drought quite well. The best time to harvest is just before flowering in late June / early July. Simply cut the plants at 10 cm above the ground and use them as fresh culinary herbs, dry them in bunches or freeze them. The plants reach about 60 cm tall and can be transplanted or thinned to 30 cm. apart.

Sow directly in spring — the seeds germinate in light, so just press them in. It likes sun and dry soil.

Harvest and use

Cut the sprigs at the start of flowering and dry them in the shade.

Frequently asked questions

When should Summer Savory be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 1105–1495 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 87%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

What is the difference between summer and winter savory?

Summer savory is an annual with a milder aroma; winter savory is perennial and more strongly aromatic.