When to Plant Summer savory in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 21:55 yesterday, not a model.
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Summer savory guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Days to harvest
- 50 days
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 25 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
Two related herbs: Summer savory (S. hortensis) is an annual with a delicate peppery-thyme flavour, traditional with beans. Winter savory (S.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar D
- Apr D
- May D
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug D
- Sep D
- Oct D
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Summer savory in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, light soil. Lean to moderate fertility. Both types dislike wet feet.
- 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 for both types.
- Spacing
- 25cm apart, 35cm between rows
- Watering
- Moderate. Allow to dry between waterings. Less water-demanding than parsley but more than rosemary.
- Good companions
- Dwarf Beans, Onion, Climbing Beans, Lentils
Subtropical Growing Tips for Summer savory
Recommended Varieties
- Summer savory
- Winter savory
Key Challenges
- Summer humidity for winter savory
Pro Tips
- Summer savory in autumn and spring
- Winter savory in well-drained raised bed
Pests and problems for Summer savory in Subtropical
Harvesting Summer savory
When ready: Summer savory: harvest once 15cm+ tall, before flowering. Winter savory: harvest year-round from established plant.
How to harvest: Snip stem tips. Summer savory: cut entire plant at base when flowering begins for maximum harvest. Winter savory: light regular snipping.
Storing and preserving summer savory
How to keep it
- Drying (both types). Hang bundles 1-2 weeks. Both types dry well. Summer savory has more delicate flavour when dried. Keeps: 12 months.
- Freezing. Chop and freeze in ice cube trays with oil. Keeps: 6 months.
- Herbes de Provence blend. Mix dried savory with thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, and lavender flowers. Store in airtight jar. Keeps: 12 months.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Summer savory
When do you plant summer savory in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Feb to Mar, Aug to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Can you grow summer savory all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to May, Aug to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Summer savory in Brisbane?
Sow seed direct in spring or autumn, avoiding the hottest, wettest months. Cut the leaves before the plant flowers for the best flavour.
What soil temperature do Summer savory need?
Summer savory germinate best when soil temperature is between 18°C and 30°C.
How do I know when Summer savory are ready to harvest?
Summer savory: harvest once 15cm+ tall, before flowering. Winter savory: harvest year-round from established plant.
What are the best Summer savory varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Summer savory, Winter savory.
What grows well with Summer savory?
Good companion plants for Summer savory include: Dwarf Beans, Onion, Climbing Beans, Lentils.
Are summer savory salt tolerant?
Only a little. Summer 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.