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When to Plant Savory in San Benito 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.

San Benito County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 281 days.

At an elevation of 149 feet, San Benito County receives approximately 13 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

San Benito County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
281 days
Last Spring Frost February 21
281 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

San Benito County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 923 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Savory needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 5,781 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” San Benito County, CA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jun 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
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 9a

Growing Season

281 days

Growing Tips for San Benito 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 San Benito County, CA?

San Benito County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 21. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Benito County, CA?

San Benito County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and first fall frost is November 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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