Blog

When to Plant Savory in Kittitas County, WA

Kittitas County, Washington Zone 7a May

Your May planting checklist for Kittitas County, Washington

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Kittitas County, Washington this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 7
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Set out savory seedlings

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Kittitas County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 2,468 feet, Kittitas County receives approximately 18.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Kittitas County, WA (Zone 7a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Kittitas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20

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 Kittitas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) is more acidic than Savory prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Savory will thrive.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 148-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0.3" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kittitas 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 2,590 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Kittitas County, WA

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 – May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Kittitas County

Growing Tips for Savory in Kittitas County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 07 in Kittitas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Kittitas County receives only 19" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Kittitas County, WA?

Kittitas County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittitas County, WA?

Kittitas County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Kittitas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kittitas County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kittitas 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.