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When to Plant Savory in Johnston County, OK

Johnston County, Oklahoma Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Johnston County, Oklahoma

May is a pivotal month for Johnston County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Collect savory at their peak

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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.

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 700 feet, Johnston County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Johnston County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Johnston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Johnston 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 loam soil in Johnston 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

5
successive plantings in your 231-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
0.6″/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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Johnston 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 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Johnston County, OK

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Johnston County

Growing Tips for Savory in Johnston County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 25 in Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Johnston County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK. 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.