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When to Plant Savory in Gulf County, FL

Gulf County, Florida Zone 9b May

Your May game plan for Gulf County, Florida

Each item below is timed to Gulf County, Florida's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost February 25
Avg. first frost November 28
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for savory

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

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: savory

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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.

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 313 feet, Gulf County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Gulf County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28
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Gulf County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14

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 Gulf County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–5.9) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

6
successive plantings in your 276-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 19 to harvest before frost.

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

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 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Gulf 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 5,263 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Gulf County, FL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 – Jun 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October
November
December
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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 9b

📆 Growing Season

276 days in Gulf County

Growing Tips for Savory in Gulf County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 25 in Gulf County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Gulf 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 Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Your Gulf County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gulf County (Zone 9b). 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 Gulf County, FL. 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.