Grow a garden filled with Winter Savory herbs, from freshly harvested Satureja montana seeds. Winter Savory is an evergreen herb that displays slender, dark green leaves through 3 of the 4 seasons. These herbs have a higher content of Thymol than its relative “Summer Savory,” meaning that it has a stronger flavor. Winter Savory plants will grow to a mature height of roughly 10 to 16 inches tall, making them perfect for pots & containers, or even in window boxes as well. The plants are primarily grown for culinary uses, however Winter Savory will also make a great addition to the garden when used as an ornamental plant. Their light pink to lilac colored blooms will open up during the late Summer months, attracting all sorts of beneficial insects to the garden, such as bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds as well.
Categorized as a perennial flowering herb, Winter Savory will establish a deep root system in its initial year of growth. This root system will allow the herbs to thrive during the warm seasons. When the plant life on the surface wilts during the Winter, the roots remain dormant, awaiting the warm temperatures of Spring to begin producing again. If allowed to flower, fresh seeds can be collected in the later months of Autumn, once the flowers have dried.
Sowing The Seed
Winter Savory can be started indoors at pretty much any time of the year. The seeds can be sown in peat pots, or other starter pots, at a depth of 1/16″ under topsoil. It is best to lightly press the seeds into place, so that they receive direct lighting, as this is crucial to germination. Transplant into larger pots, or direct sow outdoors when the weather becomes warm and all danger of extreme temperatures and frost has passed.
Growing Conditions
Winter Savory will thrive in an area of full sunlight for the majority of the day. They prefer temperatures that are above 50F but are hardy to a temperature of as little as 10F. The soil should be somewhat alkaline, but also light and well draining as well. To improve your drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily with a mist setting, until germination has occurred.
Germination & Growth
Winter Savory seeds will typically take anywhere between 7 and 14 days to germinate, if optimal conditions are met. The plants can reach a mature height of 10 to 16 inches tall, and can be spaced 6 to 10 inches apart from one another. The plants can be grown directly in the garden, or in pots and containers as well. The flowers will bloom through the Summer months, attracting an array of beneficial insects to the garden.