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When to Plant Savory in Willacy 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.

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 1,085 feet, Willacy County receives approximately 65.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, 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.

Willacy County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22

Willacy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (214 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 24 🍅 Harvest: Mar 21 – May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1

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 Willacy County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.3) is within Savory's preferred range (6.5โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Willacy County is excellent for Savory โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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 321-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 13 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 6/10 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€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 9.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Willacy 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 ~1,590 GDD — county provides 8,533 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Willacy County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Harvest April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

321 days in Willacy County

Growing Tips for Savory in Willacy County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after February 04 in Willacy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 102ยฐF in Willacy 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 Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Willacy County gardeners in Zone 9b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Willacy County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.