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When to Plant Savory in Riverside 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.

Riverside County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 283 days.

At an elevation of 1,206 feet, Riverside County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Riverside County, CA (Zone 9b) Year-round
283 days
Last Spring Frost February 24
283 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Riverside County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19

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
0.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 821 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Savory needs ~1,590 GDD — county provides 7,526 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Riverside County, CA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ Jun 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
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 9b

Growing Season

283 days

Growing Tips for Riverside 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 Riverside County, CA?

Riverside County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 24. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Riverside County, CA?

Riverside County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and first fall frost is December 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Riverside County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Riverside County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.