Summer savory in June: monthly care

Summer savory is a tender annual herb that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It will not tolerate frost, so sow or plant outdoors only after all risk of frost has passed in May or June. Choose a warm, sunny spot with loam, sandy or chalky soil; it performs particularly well in light, free-draining conditions and dislikes heavy, waterlogged ground. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working in a little grit or sharp sand if drainage is poor. Summer savory has low nutrient requirements, so there's no need to add compost or manure—overly rich soil can actually reduce the intensity of its flavour. Rake the surface to a fine tilth if sowing seed directly. Sow seeds thinly on the surface or barely cover them with a few millimetres of soil, as they need light to germinate. Space rows about 20 cm apart. Germination usually takes one to two weeks in warm soil. Once seedlings have two or three true leaves, thin them to 20 cm apart to allow good air circulation and prevent mildew. Alternatively, you can start seeds indoors in modules in April and transplant the young plants outside in May once they're hardened off. Plant them at the same spacing—20 cm apart—and at the same depth they were growing in their pots. Water gently after planting or sowing to settle the soil, but avoid saturating it. Summer savory establishes quickly in warm weather and needs little further attention once the roots are down. There's no need for staking or mulching; in fact, a mulch-free surface helps keep the base of the plant dry and discourages rot.

Summer savory is a low-maintenance herb that asks very little once established. Its native habitat is dry, rocky Mediterranean hillsides, so it has low water and nutrient needs and thrives on neglect rather than cosseting. Water sparingly. After the initial watering at planting time, summer savory rarely needs supplementary irrigation except during prolonged dry spells. Even then, water only when the soil surface is completely dry, and avoid wetting the foliage. Overwatering encourages root rot and dilutes the essential oils that give the herb its peppery flavour. Sandy and chalky soils drain freely and suit it perfectly. Feeding is not necessary. The database specifies no feeding months, and this reflects the plant's preference for lean conditions. Avoid fertilisers entirely—they promote soft, lush growth that lacks flavour and is more prone to aphid attack and fungal disease. Summer savory is not hardy and will not survive winter frosts. It completes its life cycle between late spring and autumn, so there is no overwintering to manage. Simply pull up spent plants in October and add them to the compost heap, then sow fresh seed the following May. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem. Occasionally aphids cluster on the soft growing tips in hot, dry weather; a strong jet of water or a spray of dilute washing-up liquid usually deals with them. Powdery mildew can appear in humid conditions if plants are too close together, so ensure good spacing and air flow. Avoid overhead watering, especially late in the day. Mulching is not recommended. Keep the soil surface clear to promote the dry conditions summer savory prefers and to reduce the risk of stem rot at the base.