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When to Plant Savory in Siskiyou County, CA

Siskiyou County, California Zone 8a May

What to do in May

Your Siskiyou County, California garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost October 1
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Set out savory seedlings

    Frost risk is low now in Siskiyou County, California. 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.

Siskiyou County, California is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 251 feet, Siskiyou County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Siskiyou County, CA (Zone 8a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
139 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Siskiyou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 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.

Soil Compatibility in Siskiyou County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.9) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Siskiyou County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Savory will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 139-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 7.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 7.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.2" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 6.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Siskiyou 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 1,807 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Siskiyou County, CA

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

139 days in Siskiyou County

Growing Tips for Savory in Siskiyou County

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

Sandy soil in Siskiyou County dries quickly — mulch Savory with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Siskiyou County, CA?

Siskiyou County is in Zone 8a 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 Siskiyou County, CA?

Siskiyou County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is October 1.

🌱

Your Siskiyou County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Siskiyou 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.

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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 Siskiyou County, CA. 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.