Blog

When to Plant Savory in Pike County, AR

Pike County, Arkansas Zone 8a May

What to do in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Pike County, Arkansas.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Pick savory

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: savory

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Pike County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Pike County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Pike County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10
Share this guide:

Pike County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11

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 Pike County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.0) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 232-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Pike County). 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 4,060 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Pike County, AR

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

232 days in Pike County

Growing Tips for Savory in Pike County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 23 in Pike 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 Pike County, AR?

Pike County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pike County, AR?

Pike County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Pike County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pike County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pike County, AR. 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.