Grow Great Summer Savory

Summer savory had a unique flavor that is a wonderful addition to many types of recipes. It is also quite easy to grow. Here are some tips to help you grow great summer savory in your home herb garden.

This herb is an annual and has a wonderful fragrance. People have used it in recipes for hundreds of years. It's leaves have a unique peppery flavor and go well with many types of dishes. It has flowers that are very small and colored white or pale pink. Summer savory can grow up to 1 ½ feet in height.

Be sure to plan your summer savory in a spot that gets full sun. The soil should be average in moisture content and texture. This herb is very easy to grow from seed. The seeds will germinate quite quickly, so be sure to plan accordingly. They can be sown about ½ an inch deep in the soil. Or plant in flats to be transplanted later. The plants should be placed about 10 inches apart. They will also need to be kept well weeded and watered. If you notice the plants are drooping over, just mound some soil around the base of the plant. To help the plants become established, they should be side-dressed with compost early in the growing season.

As soon as the plants get to be about 6 inches tall, you can start harvesting from them. The best way to harvest your summer savory plants is to keep clipping from the top of the plant. This will extend the time you can harvest the plants by discouraging flowers from developing. Once they flower, the entire plant should be cut. They can be dried by laying them on a screen or paper in a shady and warm location. Once they have dried for a couple days the leaves should be; stripped form the stems. Then. You can store them in an airtight container. The seeds can also be collected once they have turned brown. They need to be dried with the help of a desiccant such as silica gel. The seed should also be stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dry area.

Summer savory can be used in many recipes to compliment many types of dishes. The peppery flavor blends well with thyme to use with herb butters, flavored vinegars, peas, asparagus, squash, garlic, lentils, onions, soups and eggs. It is also delicious when used with fish and marinades for fish dishes.

Having a supply of fresh herbs in your home garden is a wonderful treat. Anything you grow yourself will always give a fresher taste to your recipes. Hopefully, these tips will help you grow an abundance of summer savory in your home herb garden for you and your family to enjoy.