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When to Plant Savory in Lyman County, SD

Lyman County, South Dakota Zone 5a May

This month in Lyman County, South Dakota

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

Avg. last frost May 7
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Move savory from tray to bed

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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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.

Lyman County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 1,055 feet, Lyman County receives approximately 29.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Lyman County, SD (Zone 5a) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Lyman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 Lyman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). 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 152-day season

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lyman 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 ~690 GDD — county provides 1,748 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Lyman County, SD

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 – May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Sep 3

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

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 5a

📆 Growing Season

152 days in Lyman County

Growing Tips for Savory in Lyman County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 07 in Lyman 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 Lyman County, SD?

Lyman County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyman County, SD?

Lyman County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Lyman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lyman County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lyman 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.