When to plant Salad Burnett in Cool Australia

Cool zone — applies to Hobart, Canberra, Ballarat, Orange, Armidale and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow salad burnet direct from September to November as the soil warms after frost, dropping seed just 5 mm deep straight where it is to grow. Germination is on the slow side at 14-21 days, so keep the bed evenly moist and be patient. From there it is quick to become useful, reaching a pickable clump in around 60-90 days. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart with 40 cm between rows so the low rosettes have room to spread. This fully hardy perennial herb thrives in the cool climate of Hobart, Ballarat and Orange, staying green and cucumber-flavoured well into the cold months.

Sowing calendar — cool zone

Green months are your sowing window: September to November.

Growing notes

Salad burnet is one of the easiest herbs to keep going in a cold garden because it is genuinely hardy and stays productive through winter when most soft herbs have collapsed. The most common failure mode here is not cold at all but bolting and bitterness in a hot, dry spell, when the plant throws up flower stems and the leaves toughen. The fix is simple: pinch off flower stalks as they appear to keep the plant producing tender new leaves, and give it a partly shaded position if your summers turn fierce.

Direct sowing works best, since salad burnet has a taproot and dislikes being transplanted once past the seedling stage. Sow into a well-drained bed with some sun, thin to 30 cm, and keep the young plants watered until established. After that it is close to self-sufficient.

Harvest by picking the youngest outer leaves regularly, which are the mildest and best for salads, taking the sprigs from the centre of the rosette. In cool districts like Canberra and Armidale the plant will often self-seed gently, giving you replacements without any effort. Cut the whole clump back hard in late winter to force a flush of fresh spring growth.

Salad Burnett at a glance

Common questions

How do you grow salad burnet from seed?

Sow seed direct where it is to grow, just 5 mm deep, from September to November once frost has passed. It germinates in 14-21 days, so keep the bed moist and patient. Direct sowing suits it because the taproot dislikes transplanting.

Is salad burnet perennial in cool climates?

Yes, salad burnet is a hardy perennial that stays green through cold winters in places like Orange and Ballarat. Cut it back hard in late winter and it will flush fresh growth in spring, and it often self-seeds as well.

Why does my salad burnet taste bitter?

Bitterness usually comes from old leaves or a plant that has bolted in hot, dry weather. Pick the youngest inner leaves for the best cucumber flavour, and pinch off flower stems as they appear to keep new growth coming.

Does salad burnet need full sun?

It grows happily in full sun to part shade. In cool districts a sunny spot is fine, but a little afternoon shade helps prevent bolting during summer heat and keeps the leaves tender and mild.

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