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When to Plant Savory in Deschutes County, OR

Deschutes County, Oregon Zone 6b May

Top priorities for Deschutes County, Oregon gardeners in May

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Avg. last frost June 15
Avg. first frost September 13
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • Transplants going out: 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.

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Deschutes County, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13
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Deschutes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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 Deschutes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

2
successive plantings in your 90-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
2.6″/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 7.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 9.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Deschutes 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 ~645 GDD — county provides 967 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Deschutes County, OR

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 22 Jun 22 – Jul 6
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 – Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

90 days in Deschutes County

Growing Tips for Savory in Deschutes County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after June 15 in Deschutes 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 Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 13.

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Your Deschutes County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Deschutes 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 Deschutes County, OR. 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.