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When to Plant Savory in Chautauqua County, KS

Chautauqua County, Kansas Zone 7a May

Chautauqua County, Kansas gardeners: here's your May plan

A quick May briefing for Chautauqua County, Kansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
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.

Chautauqua County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 890 feet, Chautauqua County receives approximately 20.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Chautauqua County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25
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Chautauqua County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Chautauqua County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.9) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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 199-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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 130 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chautauqua 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 2,736 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Chautauqua County, KS

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 6

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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Chautauqua County

Growing Tips for Savory in Chautauqua County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 09 in Chautauqua County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Chautauqua County receives only 21" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Chautauqua County, KS?

Chautauqua County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chautauqua County, KS?

Chautauqua County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Your Chautauqua County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua 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.