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When to Plant Savory in Morrow County, OR

Morrow County, Oregon Zone 7b May

Top priorities for Morrow County, Oregon gardeners in May

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

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Move savory into the garden

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,335 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Morrow County, OR (Zone 7b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Morrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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 Morrow County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

4
successive plantings in your 173-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 263 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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 2.2" 0.7" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morrow 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 ~960 GDD — county provides 2,768 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Morrow County, OR

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Morrow County

Growing Tips for Savory in Morrow County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 25 in Morrow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Morrow County receives only 21" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Morrow County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Morrow County (Zone 7b). 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 Morrow 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.