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When to Plant Savory in Lake County, CA

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.

Lake County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 270 days.

At an elevation of 154 feet, Lake County receives approximately 30.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Lake County, CA (Zone 8b) Year-round
270 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
270 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 65 gal / 100 sq ft
Savory needs ~735 GDD — county provides 3,307 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, CA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Harvest May 4 May 4 โ€“ Jun 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

270 days

Growing Tips for Lake County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savory in Lake County, CA?

Lake County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, CA?

Lake County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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