Blog

When to Plant Savory in Wise 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.

Wise County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 3,288 feet, Wise County receives approximately 53.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Savory, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Savory root diseases.

Wise County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Wise County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Wise County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.8) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Wise County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Drainage

Savory prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

5
successive plantings in your 231-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
1.0″/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€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Wise 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Wise County, TX

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 22

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

231 days in Wise County

Growing Tips for Savory in Wise County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after March 25 in Wise County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Wise County's clay soil (46% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Savory. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Wise County, TX?

Wise County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wise County, TX?

Wise County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wise County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Wise County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.