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When to Plant Savory in Mason County, TX

Mason County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Pick savory

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Looking ahead to June
  • 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.

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 4,557 feet, Mason County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Mason County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Mason County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) is within Savory's preferred range (6.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Mason 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

5
successive plantings in your 231-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Mason 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 ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,215 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Mason County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Mason County

Growing Tips for Savory in Mason County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 25 in Mason 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 Mason County, TX?

Mason County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mason County, TX?

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Mason County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Mason 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 Mason 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.