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When to Plant Savory in Dawson 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.

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 433 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. 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.

Dawson County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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 Dawson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2โ€“6.3) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

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

5
successive plantings in your 217-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Dawson 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 ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,448 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Dawson County, GA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

217 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Savory in Dawson County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 31 in Dawson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Dawson County's clay soil (32% 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 Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dawson County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Dawson County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.