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When to Plant Savory in Atkinson County, GA

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.

Atkinson County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 193 feet, Atkinson County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Atkinson County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Atkinson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23

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 Atkinson County

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

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

6
successive plantings in your 262-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

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€” 5.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Atkinson 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 5,567 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Atkinson County, GA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jul 3

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 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 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

262 days in Atkinson County

Growing Tips for Savory in Atkinson County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 06 in Atkinson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Atkinson County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Atkinson County, GA?

Atkinson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Atkinson County, GA?

Atkinson County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Atkinson County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Atkinson County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.