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When to Plant Savory in Pope County, AR

Summer savory is an annual herb with a peppery, thyme-like flavor that pairs especially well with beans. Winter savory is a perennial with a stronger flavor.

Pope County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 413 feet, Pope County receives approximately 52.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Pope County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Pope County

How your county's soil matches Savory's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“7.1) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pope County is excellent for Savory โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 218-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Savory

Savory needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Savory Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Pope County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Savory Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Savory needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,978 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Pope County, AR

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 25

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

218 days in Pope County

Growing Tips for Savory in Pope County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 28 in Pope County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Direct sow summer savory after last frost. Plant winter savory from divisions or cuttings. Harvest stems before flowering for best flavor. Use fresh or dried.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savory in Pope County, AR?

Pope County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pope County, AR?

Pope County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pope County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pope County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.