Blog

When to Plant Savory in Solano 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.

Solano County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Solano County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat.

Solano County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 3

Solano County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10

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 Solano County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.3) is within Savory's preferred range (6.5โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

7
successive plantings in your 297-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 24 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 257 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 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€” 8.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 8.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.2" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 2.2" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 7.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Solano 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 ~1,275 GDD — county provides 6,332 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Solano County, CA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Jun 8

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

297 days in Solano County

Growing Tips for Savory in Solano County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 09 in Solano 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 Solano County, CA?

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

What planting zone is Solano County, CA?

Solano County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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