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When to Plant Savory in Karnes County, TX

Karnes County, Texas Zone 9a May

Top priorities for Karnes County, Texas gardeners in May

Your garden in Karnes County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost February 26
Avg. first frost November 30
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Pick savory

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 4,532 feet, Karnes County receives approximately 67.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Karnes County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30
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Karnes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20

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 Karnes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Karnes 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 (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

6
successive plantings in your 277-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 21 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 11.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Karnes 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 ~1,275 GDD — county provides 5,907 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Karnes County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 – Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

277 days in Karnes County

Growing Tips for Savory in Karnes County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 26 in Karnes 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 Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Karnes County, TX?

Karnes County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 30.

🌱

Your Karnes County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Karnes County (Zone 9a). 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 Karnes 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.