When to Plant Winter savory in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Winter savory guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to Apr, Jun to Oct
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
A hardy, woody perennial herb with a peppery thyme-like flavour, used with beans and meat. Lives for years in a dry, sunny spot.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar ✓
- Apr ✓
- May -
- Jun S
- Jul S
- Aug T
- Sep T
- Oct T
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Winter savory in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Very well-drained, rather lean soil; gravelly or sandy is ideal.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours)
- Spacing
- 20-30cm apart, 40cm between rows
- Watering
- Water to establish, then only in long dry spells; soggy soil kills it.
- Good companions
- Dwarf Beans
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Winter savory
Recommended Varieties
- Common winter savory
- Creeping winter savory
Pests and problems for Winter savory in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Winter savory
When ready: Once the plant is bushy, pick sprigs as needed.
How to harvest: Cut soft tips, never into bare old wood. Trim lightly after flowering.
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- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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Common Questions About Winter savory
When do you plant winter savory in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jun
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to May, Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Jun to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
Can you grow winter savory all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to Apr, Jun to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Winter savory in Alice Springs?
Usually planted as nursery plants or rooted cuttings in autumn or spring. It is a tough, drought-hardy herb that handles alkaline soil well, and a light trim after flowering keeps it bushy.
How do I know when Winter savory are ready to harvest?
Once the plant is bushy, pick sprigs as needed.
What are the best Winter savory varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Common winter savory, Creeping winter savory.
What grows well with Winter savory?
Good companion plants for Winter savory include: Dwarf Beans.
Are winter savory salt tolerant?
Only a little. Winter savory are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.