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When to plant Savory in Benton County, IN

In Benton County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 29–May 13 for an 50–70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 13 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Benton County, IN

Benton County, Indiana Zone 6a June

Your June game plan for Benton County, Indiana

Here's what deserves your attention in Benton County, Indiana this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 13
Soil temp (4") 70°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.

Looking ahead to 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.

Benton County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,298 feet, Benton County receives approximately 39 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.

Benton County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 Benton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.0) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — 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 04 to harvest before frost.

Savory Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Benton 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 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Benton County, IN

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 19

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

174 days in Benton County

Growing Tips for Savory in Benton County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 22 in Benton 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 Benton County, IN?

Benton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, IN?

Benton County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Savory in Benton County, IN?

In Benton County, IN, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Benton County, IN for Savory?

Benton 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 Benton County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Benton County's temperate climate. Benton County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Benton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Benton 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 Benton County, IN. 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.