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When to Plant Savory in Bourbon County, KS

Bourbon County, Kansas Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Bourbon County, Kansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Bourbon County, Kansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Bourbon County, KS (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bourbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18

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 Bourbon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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 200-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bourbon 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 2,750 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Bourbon County, KS

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Bourbon County

Growing Tips for Savory in Bourbon County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 08 in Bourbon 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 Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 25.

🌱

Your Bourbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bourbon County (Zone 7a). 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 Bourbon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.