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When to Plant Savory in Monroe County, WI

Monroe County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

This month in Monroe County, Wisconsin

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

Avg. last frost May 9
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant savory

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

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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.

Monroe County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 1,164 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 36.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Monroe County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3
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Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

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 (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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 Monroe County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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

3
successive plantings in your 147-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 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 — 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Monroe 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 ~600 GDD — county provides 1,470 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Monroe County, WI

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 – Sep 5

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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

147 days in Monroe County

Growing Tips for Savory in Monroe County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 09 in Monroe 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 Monroe County, WI?

Monroe County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, WI?

Monroe County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 3.

🌱

Your Monroe County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Monroe County (Zone 4b). 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 Monroe County, WI. 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.