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When to Plant Savory in Hopkins County, TX

Hopkins County, Texas Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Hopkins County, Texas

Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 15
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for savory

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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.

Hopkins County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 217 feet, Hopkins County receives approximately 65.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Hopkins County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Hopkins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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 Hopkins County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hopkins County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Savory will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 245-day season

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 10.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hopkins 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 4,287 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Hopkins County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Harvest May 17 May 17 – Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

245 days in Hopkins County

Growing Tips for Savory in Hopkins County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 15 in Hopkins County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hopkins County dries quickly — mulch Savory with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Hopkins County, TX?

Hopkins County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hopkins County, TX?

Hopkins County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Hopkins County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hopkins County (Zone 8b). 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 Hopkins County, TX. 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.