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When to Plant Savory in Sutton 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.

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,068 feet, Sutton County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Sutton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Sutton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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 Sutton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.8โ€“8.7) is more alkaline than Savory prefers (6.5โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Sutton 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 (1.0%). 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 227-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 2.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 2.2" 7.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Sutton 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 ~1,635 GDD — county provides 6,185 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Sutton County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

227 days in Sutton County

Growing Tips for Savory in Sutton County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 28 in Sutton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Sutton County, provide afternoon shade for Savory and water deeply in the morning.

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 Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Sutton County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.