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When to Plant Savory in Bibb County, GA

Bibb County, Georgia Zone 8b May

Bibb County, Georgia gardeners: here's your May plan

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Collect savory at their peak

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

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 218 feet, Bibb County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Bibb County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Bibb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7

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 Bibb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Savory prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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 229-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bibb 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 ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Bibb County, GA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jul 19

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

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 8b

📆 Growing Season

229 days in Bibb County

Growing Tips for Savory in Bibb County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 22 in Bibb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bibb County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Bibb County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bibb County (Zone 8b). 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 Bibb County, GA. 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.