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When to plant Savory in Stark County County,

In Stark County County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 28–May 12 for an 70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 12 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Stark County, IL

Stark County, Illinois Zone 5b June

June in Stark County, Illinois — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Stark County, Illinois this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 21
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Bring in the savory

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

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Stark County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,071 feet, Stark County receives approximately 33.7 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.

Stark County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Stark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4

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 Stark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.9) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — 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 174-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Savory Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Stark 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 2,262 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Stark County, IL

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 18

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

174 days in Stark County

Growing Tips for Savory in Stark County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 21 in Stark 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 Stark County, IL?

Stark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stark County, IL?

Stark County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 12.

When should I plant Savory in Stark County, ?

In Stark County, , plant Savory after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stark County, for Savory?

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

Can Savory grow in Stark County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Stark County's temperate climate. Stark County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 12.

🌱

Your Stark County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stark 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 Stark 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.