I’ve been trying to grow winter savory, but so far I’ve had no luck. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?
Winter savory likes to be planted in a dry, sunny location where it has lots of elbow room and when grown under these conditions tends to do extremely well. The problem is, it usually isn't grown under these conditions and because of this goes into decline and dies unless steps are taken to rectify the problem before it's too late.
Like oregano, thyme and so many other herbs, borage requires little water once established, so you only really need to get the hose out during droughts when there are obvious signs of wilting. The rest of the time, let them be. This is especially true in autumn. If winter savory carries too much moisture into the winter months, it won't make it through to the spring.
If you’re trying to start winter savory from seeds and not getting anywhere, it could be because the seeds are too old. Savory seeds tend to lose their viability rapidly after harvest and can be rendered useless in as little as a year . Even when the seeds are viable, they can take a long time to sprout, so start them in January if you're planning on transplanting them outside in the spring.
Also keep in mind that winter savory is a short-lived perennial and, through no fault of your own, commonly needs to be replaced as often as every three years.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
