When to plant Burnet in Temperate Australia
Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.
Sow salad burnet direct from March to April in autumn or October to December in spring, planting seed about 8 mm deep where it is to grow. Germination is slow, taking 14–28 days, so keep the bed moist and be patient. This hardy perennial herb reaches a usable size in 60–90 days, forming a low rosette of ferny leaves with a fresh, cucumber-like flavour. Thin plants to 30 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. In temperate gardens around Melbourne and Adelaide, burnet stays green and pickable through much of the cool season, earning a permanent spot near the kitchen.
Sowing calendar — temperate zone
Green months are your sowing window: March to April and October to December.
Growing notes
Salad burnet is an undemanding perennial that rewards a bit of patience at the start. Its seed germinates slowly and unevenly over 14–28 days, so the usual failure is giving up too soon: mark the row, keep the surface damp, and resist re-sowing over gaps that are simply late to appear. Cool, moist autumn conditions in Melbourne and Adelaide give the most reliable strike.
Once up, it is genuinely tough. Burnet handles frost, poor soil and light shade, and the fresh young leaves carry a cucumber tang that is best in the cool months. The main thing that spoils it is heat: through a hot Adelaide summer the plant may throw up flower stems and the older leaves turn bitter and coarse. Snip out the flower stalks and keep picking the young inner leaves to keep the flavour mild and the plant productive. A light trim also keeps the rosette compact.
Give it free-draining soil, as it dislikes sitting wet, and a spot with morning sun. As a perennial it will persist for several years, self-seeding gently if you let a few flowers run. Divide clumps every couple of years to refresh them. Little to no pest pressure makes it one of the easiest herbs to keep going year-round.
Burnet at a glance
| Sowing depth | 8 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Germination | 14-28 days |
| Days to maturity | 60-90 days |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy |
| Method | Raise Seedlings,Sow Direct |
Common questions
- How do I grow salad burnet from seed?
- Sow direct 8 mm deep from March to April or October to December, and keep the bed moist. Germination is slow, taking 14–28 days, so be patient and don't re-sow over gaps too early. Thin seedlings to 30 cm apart once established.
- Is salad burnet a perennial in temperate gardens?
- Yes, burnet is a hardy perennial that persists for several years in temperate climates like Melbourne and Adelaide, staying green through much of the cool season. It tolerates frost and light shade. Divide the clumps every couple of years to keep them vigorous.
- Why does my burnet taste bitter?
- Older leaves and hot summer weather turn burnet coarse and bitter, and flowering makes it worse. Snip out flower stems and keep picking the young inner leaves, which hold the mild cucumber flavour. A light trim encourages fresh, tender growth.
- How long until I can pick salad burnet?
- Plants reach a usable size in about 60–90 days, though you can take a few young leaves earlier once the rosette is established. Pick from the centre and pick often to keep the flavour fresh. As a perennial, it will keep supplying leaves for years.
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