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When to plant Savory in Cass County County,

In Cass County County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 22–May 6 for an 70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 16 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Cass County, IL

Cass County, Illinois Zone 6a June

What to do in June

Welcome to June in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Basket week: savory

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Get ahead of July
  • 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.

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 703 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Cass County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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 Cass County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.2) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

4
successive plantings in your 184-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cass 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 ~735 GDD — county provides 2,254 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Cass County, IL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Savory in Cass County

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

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 Cass County, IL?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, IL?

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Savory in Cass County, ?

In Cass County, , plant Savory after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cass County, for Savory?

Cass County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Cass County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Cass County's temperate climate. Cass County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6a). 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 Cass County, IL. 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.