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When to plant Savory in Compton, MD

Plant Savory in Compton during the brief April 12–April 26 window. With 213 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before November 4.

When to Plant Savory in Compton, MD

St. Mary's County, Maryland Zone 8a June

This month in St. Mary's County, Maryland

June is a pivotal month for St. Mary's County, Maryland gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Collect savory at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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.

Compton, Maryland is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 156 feet, St. Mary's County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Compton, MD (Zone 8a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Compton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23

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 Compton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.9) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

Savory Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in St. Mary's 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,047 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Compton, MD

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 – Aug 2

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

213 days in St. Mary's County

Growing Tips for Savory in Compton

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 05 in St. Mary's 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 →

When should I plant Savory in Compton, MD?

In Compton, MD, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 5) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Compton, MD for Savory?

Compton sits in USDA Zone 8a. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Compton's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Compton's temperate climate. Compton averages a 213-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 5 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your St. Mary's County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Mary's County (Zone 8a). 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 St. Mary's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.