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When to Plant Savory in Waller County, TX

Waller County, Texas Zone 9a May

Top priorities for Waller County, Texas gardeners in May

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 February 19
Avg. first frost December 4
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for savory

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Waller County receives approximately 64.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Waller County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Waller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6

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 Waller County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.2) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Waller 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 moderate (2.0%). 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 288-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 25 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Waller 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 6,141 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Waller County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 – Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

288 days in Waller County

Growing Tips for Savory in Waller County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 19 in Waller County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Waller County, TX?

Waller County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waller County, TX?

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 4.

🌱

Your Waller County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Waller 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 Waller 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.