Blog

When to Plant Savory in Lancaster 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.

Lancaster County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 851 feet, Lancaster County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Lancaster County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Lancaster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 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.

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
Savory needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,428 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Lancaster County, VA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 1

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 Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

216 days

Growing Tips for Lancaster County

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 Lancaster County, VA?

Lancaster County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lancaster County, VA?

Lancaster County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lancaster 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 Lancaster County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.