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When to Plant Savory in Portsmouth City, 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.

Portsmouth City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 594 feet, Portsmouth City receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Portsmouth City, VA (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Portsmouth City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Savory needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,740 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Portsmouth City, VA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

240 days

Growing Tips for Portsmouth City

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 Portsmouth City, VA?

Portsmouth City is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Portsmouth City, VA?

Portsmouth City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Portsmouth City gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Portsmouth City, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.