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When to Plant Savory in Limestone County, TX

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.

Limestone County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 214 feet, Limestone County receives approximately 69.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Limestone County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Limestone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 Limestone County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1โ€“7.7) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (45% clay) in Limestone County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 247-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 10.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 12.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Limestone County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,878 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Limestone County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

247 days in Limestone County

Growing Tips for Savory in Limestone County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 12 in Limestone County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Limestone County's clay soil (45% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Limestone County, TX?

Limestone County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Limestone County, TX?

Limestone County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Limestone County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Limestone County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.