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When to plant Savory in Berrien County, MI

In Berrien County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 6–May 20 for an 50–70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 17 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Berrien County, MI

Berrien County, Michigan Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Berrien County, Michigan

Your garden in Berrien County, Michigan is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Berrien County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Berrien County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Berrien County, MI (Zone 6b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Berrien County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

4
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 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
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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Berrien 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 ~1,005 GDD — county provides 2,864 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Berrien County, MI

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
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

171 days in Berrien County

Growing Tips for Savory in Berrien County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 29 in Berrien 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 Berrien County, MI?

Berrien County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Berrien County, MI?

Berrien County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Savory in Berrien County, MI?

In Berrien County, MI, plant Savory after the last frost (around April 29) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Berrien County, MI for Savory?

Berrien County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Berrien County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Berrien County's temperate climate. Berrien County averages a 171-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 29 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Berrien County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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