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When to Plant Savory in Hamlin County, SD

Hamlin County, South Dakota Zone 4b May

May in Hamlin County, South Dakota — your action list

Each item below is timed to Hamlin County, South Dakota's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 6
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Transplant savory outside

    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.

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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.

Hamlin County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 729 feet, Hamlin County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Hamlin County, SD (Zone 4b) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3
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Hamlin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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 Hamlin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.7) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 150-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Hamlin 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 1,950 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Hamlin County, SD

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

150 days in Hamlin County

Growing Tips for Savory in Hamlin County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 06 in Hamlin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Hamlin County receives only 25" 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 Hamlin County, SD?

Hamlin County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamlin County, SD?

Hamlin County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 3.

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Your Hamlin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hamlin County (Zone 4b). 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 Hamlin County, SD. 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.