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When to Plant Savory in Shackelford County, TX

Shackelford County, Texas Zone 8a May

Your May gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost March 30
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 4,145 feet, Shackelford County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Shackelford County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11
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Shackelford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 Shackelford County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.5) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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 226-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
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" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Shackelford 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 ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,785 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Shackelford County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

226 days in Shackelford County

Growing Tips for Savory in Shackelford County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 30 in Shackelford 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 Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Your Shackelford County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Shackelford County (Zone 8a). 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 Shackelford 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.