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The Complete Guide to Summer Savory Plant Care
Summer savory, also known as Satureja hortensis, is a herb that belongs to the mint family.
It has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries.
The plant has delicate leaves with a sweet and spicy flavor that makes it perfect for seasoning dishes.
If you are looking to grow summer savory in your garden or indoors, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started.
Planting Summer Savory
- Summer savory thrives in warm weather conditions.
It requires full sun exposure and well-draining soil.
- You can sow seeds directly into the ground after the last frost date or start them indoors six weeks before planting outdoors.
- Sow seeds ΒΌ inch deep and 12 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart
- The soil should have a pH of 6.5-7.0
Caring for Summer Savory
- Water regularly but do not overwater as this can cause root rot.
- Fertilize once every two weeks during the growing season using organic fertilizer or compost tea as synthetic fertilizers may harm its flavor profile.
- Pests like aphids can affect summer savoy plants; monitor regularly and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.
Harvesting Summer Savory
- The best time to harvest summer savory is in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak.
- Harvest leaves once the plant reaches 6-8 inches tall.
Pinch off individual leaves or cut stems just above a leaf node.
- Avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at once to allow for regrowth.
Using Summer Savory
- Summer savory is commonly used in marinades, soups, stews and roasted meats.
Its flavor pairs well with beans and lentils, poultry and fish dishes.
- You can also use it as a substitute for thyme or marjoram in recipes that call for these herbs.
The Health Benefits of Summer Savory
Beside its culinary uses, summer savory has many medicinal properties that make it beneficial to your health:
- It contains antioxidants that help protect against cell damage caused by free radicals,
- Savory oil has antifungal properties which helps treat yeast infections,
- Taking summer savory tea after meals aid digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes production; it can also be used as carminative to reduce bloating and gas,
- In traditional medicine, mixed with honey it acts as an expectorant helping relieve coughs due colds or flu ,
In Conclusion
Growing and caring for your own healthy fresh herbs like summer savory can benefit both your cooking skills adding new flavors to your dishes while boosting you health!
