Blog

When to Plant Savory in Hinds County, MS

Hinds County, Mississippi Zone 8b May

May in Hinds County, Mississippi — your action list

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hinds County, Mississippi.

Avg. last frost March 17
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Pick savory

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

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: savory

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Hinds County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Hinds County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Hinds County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Hinds County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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 Hinds County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 239-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hinds 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 4,541 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Hinds County, MS

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Harvest May 19 May 19 – Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Hinds County

Growing Tips for Savory in Hinds County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 17 in Hinds County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Hinds County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Hinds County, MS?

Hinds County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hinds County, MS?

Hinds County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Hinds County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hinds County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hinds County, MS. 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.