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When to Plant Savory in Orleans Parish, LA

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.

Orleans Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 489 feet, Orleans Parish receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Orleans Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 20
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Orleans Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Savory needs ~1,545 GDD — county provides 7,132 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Orleans Parish, LA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ Jun 19

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

276 days

Growing Tips for Orleans Parish

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 Orleans Parish, LA?

Orleans Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 20. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Orleans Parish, LA?

Orleans Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Orleans Parish 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 Orleans Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.