Blog

When to plant Savory in Polk County County,

Polk County County's short 329-day growing season means one Savory planting between February 1 and February 15. No fall crop in Zone 10a.

When to Plant Savory in Polk County, FL

Polk County, Florida Zone 10a June

Polk County, Florida gardeners: here's your June plan

A quick June briefing for Polk County, Florida gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost January 25
Avg. first frost December 19
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Survive, don't thrive

    June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.

  2. Start fall tomato seeds indoors

    Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.

  3. Add compost to empty beds

    Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.

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.

Polk County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 328 days.

At an elevation of 236 feet, Polk County receives approximately 58.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96°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.

Polk County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
328 days
Last Spring Frost January 25
328 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (206 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (209 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – May 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 19

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 Polk County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.3) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Polk 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 (1.6%). 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

7
successive plantings in your 328-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 10 to harvest before frost.

Savory 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 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Polk 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 ~1,320 GDD — county provides 7,238 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Polk County, FL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Harvest March 29 Mar 29 – May 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Transplant Outdoors
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
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 10a

📆 Growing Season

328 days in Polk County

Growing Tips for Savory in Polk County

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

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

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Polk County, provide afternoon shade for Savory and water deeply in the morning.

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 Polk County, FL?

Polk County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Polk County, FL?

Polk County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 25 and first fall frost is December 19.

When should I plant Savory in Polk County, ?

In Polk County, , plant Savory after the last frost (around January 25) and before the first frost (around December 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Polk County, for Savory?

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

Can Savory grow in Polk County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Polk County's temperate climate. Polk County averages a 329-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 25 and first frost around December 19.

🌱

Your Polk County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Polk County (Zone 10a). 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 Polk County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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