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When to Plant Savory in Rush County, KS

Rush County, Kansas Zone 6b May

What to do in May

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

Avg. last frost April 24
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Move savory from tray to bed

    Your last frost (April 24) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Rush County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Rush County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Rush County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7

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 Rush County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.3) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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 174-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rush 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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,523 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Rush County, KS

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Rush County

Growing Tips for Savory in Rush County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 24 in Rush County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Rush County receives only 22" 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 Rush County, KS?

Rush County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rush County, KS?

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Rush County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Rush County (Zone 6b). 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 Rush 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.