When to plant Salad Burnett 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 in autumn from March to April or in spring from September to November, dropping seed about 5 mm deep straight where it is to grow. Germination takes 14-21 days, and plants reach picking size in 60-90 days. Thin seedlings to 30 cm apart with 40 cm between rows. This hardy perennial herb tastes faintly of cucumber and holds its leaves through mild temperate winters, so gardens around Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne can pick fresh sprigs almost year-round.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to April and September to November.

Growing notes

Salad burnet is an easy, forgiving perennial that forms a low rosette of ferny leaves. Sow it direct rather than transplanting, as it makes a taproot that resents disturbance. It grows in most soils, tolerates part shade, and copes with dry spells better than most salad greens, which makes it a useful edging herb.

The main thing that goes wrong is bolting and bitterness. Once the plant throws up its wiry flower stems in late spring, leaf production slows and the flavour coarsens. The fix is simple: cut the flower stalks off as they appear to push the plant back into leaf, and keep picking the young growth, which is always the mildest and most tender.

In hotter temperate districts such as inland Adelaide, a little afternoon shade and steady moisture keep leaves succulent through summer. Divide established clumps every couple of years in autumn to rejuvenate them, or let a few plants flower and self-seed to keep a patch going. Slugs and snails will nibble young seedlings, so protect them until established. Otherwise this is a near carefree herb that quietly earns its place in the salad bed.

Salad Burnett at a glance

Common questions

What does salad burnet taste like?

The young leaves have a mild, fresh cucumber flavour that works well in salads, dressings and summer drinks. Older leaves and flowering plants turn bitter, so pick the tender new growth.

Is salad burnet a perennial?

Yes, it is a hardy perennial that lives for several years and stays evergreen through mild temperate winters. Divide clumps every couple of years to keep them vigorous.

How do I stop salad burnet going bitter?

Cut off the flower stems as soon as they appear and keep harvesting the young leaves. Flowering and hot, dry conditions both coarsen the flavour, so shade and steady water help in summer.

Can I grow salad burnet from seed direct?

Yes, and it is the best way, because the plant forms a taproot that dislikes being transplanted. Sow 5 mm deep where it is to grow, in autumn or spring, and thin to 30 cm apart.

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