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When to plant Savory in Jefferson County, FL

Jefferson County's 257-day season only supports one Savory planting per year. Sow between March 16 and March 30 for the best chance at full maturity before November 21.

When to Plant Savory in Jefferson County, FL

Jefferson County, Florida Zone 9a July

What to do in July

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

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 21
Soil temp (4") 91°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Basket week: savory

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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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.

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 56 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Jefferson County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24

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 Jefferson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–5.9) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Jefferson 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 (1.3%). 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 257-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

Savory Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Jefferson 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 ~1,275 GDD — county provides 5,461 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Jefferson County, FL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

257 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Savory in Jefferson County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 09 in Jefferson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, FL?

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

What planting zone is Jefferson County, FL?

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 21.

When should I plant Savory in Jefferson County, FL?

In Jefferson County, FL, plant Savory after the last frost (around March 9) and before the first frost (around November 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jefferson County, FL for Savory?

Jefferson County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Jefferson County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Jefferson County's temperate climate. Jefferson County averages a 257-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 9 and first frost around November 21.

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A 22-page printable planner built for Jefferson County (Zone 9a). 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 Jefferson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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