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When to Plant Savory in Robeson County, NC

Robeson County, North Carolina Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Robeson County, North Carolina

Your garden in Robeson County, North Carolina is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 24
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Bring in the savory

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

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 887 feet, Robeson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Robeson County, NC (Zone 8b) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6
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Robeson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 Robeson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.2) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 227-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Robeson 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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Robeson County, NC

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Jul 21

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
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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

227 days in Robeson County

Growing Tips for Savory in Robeson County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 24 in Robeson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Robeson County's clay soil (31% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Robeson County, provide afternoon shade for Savory and water deeply in the morning.

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 Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Robeson County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Robeson 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.

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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 Robeson County, NC. 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.