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When to plant Savory in Capron, IL

In Capron, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 30–May 14 for an 50–70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 16 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Capron, IL

Boone County, Illinois Zone 5b July

Your July planting checklist for Boone County, Illinois

Welcome to July in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 23
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Collect savory at their peak

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to August
  • 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.

Capron, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 512 feet, Boone County receives approximately 39.9 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.

Capron, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Capron Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6

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 Capron

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.8) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Boone 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 (3.8%). 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 176-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
1.0″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Boone 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 2,156 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Capron, IL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Aug 20

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

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 5b

📆 Growing Season

176 days in Boone County

Growing Tips for Savory in Capron

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 23 in Boone 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 →

When should I plant Savory in Capron, IL?

In Capron, IL, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 23) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Capron, IL for Savory?

Capron sits in USDA Zone 5b. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Capron's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Capron's temperate climate. Capron averages a 176-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 23 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Boone County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Boone County (Zone 5b). 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 Boone County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.