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When to Plant Savory in Bland County, VA

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.

Bland County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 546 feet, Bland County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Bland County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Bland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 Bland County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.7) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Bland 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

3
successive plantings in your 163-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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

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€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Bland 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 3,097 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Bland County, VA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

163 days in Bland County

Growing Tips for Savory in Bland County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 02 in Bland 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 Bland County, VA?

Bland County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bland County, VA?

Bland County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bland County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bland County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.