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When to Plant Savory in Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 176 feet, Virginia Beach City receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Virginia Beach City, VA (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Virginia Beach City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Savory needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,307 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Virginia Beach City, VA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 21

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

236 days

Growing Tips for Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach City, VA?

Virginia Beach City is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Virginia Beach City, VA?

Virginia Beach City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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