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When to Plant Savory in Anchorage Municipality, AK

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska Zone 5a May

May in the garden — Anchorage Municipality, Alaska

May is a pivotal month for Anchorage Municipality, Alaska gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 19
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 17.1 hrs
  1. Time to transplant savory

    Frost risk is low now in Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

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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.

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.

At an elevation of 2,537 feet, Anchorage Municipality receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 71°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Anchorage Municipality, AK (Zone 5a) Short season
127 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
127 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Anchorage Municipality Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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 Anchorage Municipality

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.5) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Anchorage Municipality is excellent for Savory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Savory prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Savory

2
successive plantings in your 127-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

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

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 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Anchorage Municipality). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~195 GDD — county provides 412 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Anchorage Municipality, AK

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

127 days in Anchorage Municipality

Growing Tips for Savory in Anchorage Municipality

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 15 in Anchorage Municipality when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Anchorage Municipality receives only 20" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Anchorage Municipality, AK?

Anchorage Municipality is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anchorage Municipality, AK?

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 19.

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Your Anchorage Municipality Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Anchorage Municipality (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Anchorage Municipality, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.