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When to plant Savory in Luce County, MI

In Luce County, Savory is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 29–June 12 for an 50–70-day harvest, finishing well before the October 3 first frost.

When to Plant Savory in Luce County, MI

Luce County, Michigan Zone 5a July

Your July planting checklist for Luce County, Michigan

A quick July briefing for Luce County, Michigan gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 22
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Basket week: savory

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Luce County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Luce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Savory Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5

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 Luce County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Savory Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Luce 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 1,742 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Luce County, MI

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 29 May 29 – Jun 12
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Luce County

Growing Tips for Savory in Luce County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 22 in Luce 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 Luce County, MI?

Luce County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Luce County, MI?

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Savory in Luce County, MI?

In Luce County, MI, plant Savory after the last frost (around May 22) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Luce County, MI for Savory?

Luce County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Savory grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Savory grow in Luce County's climate?

Yes — Savory grows well in Luce County's temperate climate. Luce County averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 22 and first frost around October 3.

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A 22-page printable planner built for Luce County (Zone 5a). 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 Luce County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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