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When to Plant Savory in Wharton County, TX

Wharton County, Texas Zone 9a May

Wharton County, Texas gardeners: here's your May plan

Welcome to May in Zone 9a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost February 17
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for savory

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of 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.

Wharton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 207 feet, Wharton County receives approximately 64.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Wharton County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Wharton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9

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 Wharton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

7
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 27 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" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Wharton 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 ~1,410 GDD — county provides 6,885 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Wharton County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Harvest April 21 Apr 21 – Jun 16

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

292 days in Wharton County

Growing Tips for Savory in Wharton County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 17 in Wharton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 98°F in Wharton 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 Wharton County, TX?

Wharton County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wharton County, TX?

Wharton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Wharton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wharton 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 Wharton 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.