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When to Plant Savory in Clark County, WA

Clark County, Washington Zone 8b May

This month in Clark County, Washington

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 April 14
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
June prep starts now
  • 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.

Clark County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Clark County, WA (Zone 8b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27
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Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.3) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

4
successive plantings in your 196-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 0.6" 1.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 5.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 7.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clark 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 2,695 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Clark County, WA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 – Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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 8b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Savory in Clark County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after April 14 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Clark County, WA?

Clark County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, WA?

Clark County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 8b). 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 Clark County, WA. 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.