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When to plant Savory in Dewitt, IL

Dewitt's short 185-day growing season means one Savory planting between April 22 and May 6. No fall crop in Zone 6a.

When to Plant Savory in Dewitt, IL

DeWitt County, Illinois Zone 6a June

June to-do list for DeWitt County, Illinois

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 17
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Start harvesting savory

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

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.

Dewitt, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 801 feet, DeWitt County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Dewitt, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Dewitt Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25

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 Dewitt

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.0) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

4
successive plantings in your 185-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in DeWitt 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 2,405 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Dewitt, 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

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

185 days in DeWitt County

Growing Tips for Savory in Dewitt

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 15 in DeWitt 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 Dewitt, IL?

In Dewitt, IL, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dewitt, IL for Savory?

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

Can Savory grow in Dewitt's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Dewitt's temperate climate. Dewitt averages a 185-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your DeWitt County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for DeWitt 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 DeWitt County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.