Planting and caring for winter savory
Winter savory is a herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. There is another savory which is known as the summer savory. It is believed that both these herbs were around from ancient Rome that’s all the way back before our time so these herbs have been around for a while.
It is also believed that the ancient Romans introduced these herbs to northern Europe and Egland.
The winter savory is a perennial whereas the summer savory is an annual. The winter savory makes a great repellent and has been known to keep both bean weevils and aphids at bay and also reduce mildew. So if you have a problem with these insects, planting winter savory among your garden plants will help to make life a lot easier.
The aroma of summer savory is spicy while the winter savory has aromas of pine and sage.
The use of savory herbs
These herbs are used in soups, stuffings, sauces, egg dishes, poultry, fish, meats, corn, veal, cabbages, pork, and so on. Winter savory can really flavor and spice up your foods giving your dishes that WOW.
Growing winter savory
Growing guide
But how do we grow winter savory in our home gardens? I am so happy you asked.
1. Look for a sunny location to plant your winter savory.
2. The soil structure for planting winter savory should be well-drained soil that is alkaline. Adding organic matter or compost can help to condition your soil to have success when sowing savory seeds.
3. The seeds should be spread onto the soil’s surface and lightly covered with soil. Seedlings should be planted 10-12 inches apart.
4. When adding water use a spray nozzle attachment and set the gauge where the water comes out fine and misty like a showerhead If the water comes out too strongly or course as droppings will cause seeds to shift and will also wash or remove topsoils from your seeds.
Caring for your savory herbs
1. Soil should be kept moist, don’t allow the soil to dry out because this will slow down or hinder the germination process.
2. Adding manure to your plant bed will go a long way in the overall health of your plant.
Growing savory herbs in containers
Winter savory can also be grown in containers, the containers should be anywhere from 15 gallons or larger to give your herbs room to grow as they mature. Follow the steps above when installing in containers.
Harvest time
Who doesn’t love harvest time, this is the time to reap and to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Because winter savory is a perennial it can be harvested year-round. The best time to harvest this herb is the morning after the dew dries.
Only the mature stalks should be harvested, don’t remove all of the stalks but leave the majority so herbs can continue to grow.
Other use of winter savory herbs
Medical use of winter savory
Winter savory has other uses besides spicing up your dishes. This herb is also used to bring relief to persons with ailments that include.
1. This herb is used to treat the sore throat
2. Coughs.
3. Savory helps to relieve indigestion.
4. Helps with an upset stomach.
5. Can help to fight colic.
6. Helps to relieve menstrual disorder.
7. Fights inflammation.
Vitamin content of winter savory
The vitamin content of winter savory includes
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- B-complex vitamins
- Magnesium.
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Iron
- Calcium
- Niacin
- Fiber
The final word
Growing and harvesting winter savory is that simple. These herbs are a delight and will really give your food that spice so considers adding winter savory to your garden so you can have an almost endless supply as you spice up those dishes while boosting your health.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Hi thank you for this great article, I must say i had never hear of the winter savoury but after reading this i do like the idea of growing it my garden, i may give it a try!
My main reason here is for its medical use, as you nicely pint out there a few medical uses but I am particularly interested in its ability to fights inflammation plus has an array of vitamin content so this is a win win! thank you!
Dianne it is always my pleasure and wishing-you success as you seek to add winter savory to your garden.
I really would not know about this until I read this article about winter savory. I have found that this herbs is very important for our daily life since we need to be free from our common disease like sore throat, cough, indigestion and menstrual disorder etc. I am bookmarking this page for my future use.
At first I will try to find out this plant in my local area and if not found I will try to seek it in outside. Thanks for sharing this information.
Hello so happy that I could help and it is so good to see that you are all about natural healing. Wishing you all the best of success. Have a good day .
I love to use the most natural ingredients as possible when I cook. I even prepare a soup made of many green vegetables and herbs, with 1 egg. To be honest it does not taste so well, but it has many, many vitamins!
I never knew about those winter savory and summer savory. I would like to try them and see how my food taste like with them.
Can I buy those herbs in Peru?
Another question, there was something that I couldn’t understand very well.
How long does it take to grow winter savory? A year?!
Hello it is so good to meet you and thanks so much for sharing. Winter savory is really amazing and can be harvested in about 70 days. I am not sure If they can be purchase in Peru but you can always check with your plant nursery. Hope this help and have a good day.
Thank you so much for providing great information about winter savory herb. We know that its easy to grow herb in your garden and you can plant where it can get about six hours of sun a day in soil that drains well. Because of its bitter taste people don’t like to eat but this herb has medicinal properties and it is an excellent addition in meat and poultry dishes and stuffings.
I have one question, what is the difference between winter and summer savory?
Thanks for sharing.
Hello and thanks so much for your responses. Winter Savory is a annual while Summer Savory is a perennial. Summer savory is a aromatic seasoning and flavoring herb, winter savory is used often as a flavor for liqueurs.Winter savory belongs to the mint family. These are just a few there is so much more. have a good day.