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When to plant Savory in Jefferson County, KY

In Jefferson County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 14–April 28 for an 50–70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 30 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Jefferson County, KY

Jefferson County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

What to do in June

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Collect savory at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

July prep starts now
  • 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.

Jefferson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,279 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 43.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Jefferson County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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 Jefferson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 206-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Jefferson 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 2,832 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Jefferson County, KY

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 – Aug 4

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Savory in Jefferson County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 07 in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Jefferson County, KY?

Jefferson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 30.

When should I plant Savory in Jefferson County, KY?

In Jefferson County, KY, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 7) and before the first frost (around October 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jefferson County, KY for Savory?

Jefferson County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Jefferson County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Jefferson County's temperate climate. Jefferson County averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 7 and first frost around October 30.

🌱

Your Jefferson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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