Summer Savory in Zone 2a & 2b
Satureja hortensis
Yes, summer savory grows in zones 2a and 2b. Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 15 and plant out May 20–May 27.
When to plant summer savory in zone 2b
Zones 2a and 2b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 20–May 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 19–Jul 26 (~60 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-7 in.
Plant alongside it in zone 2b
These go outside within two weeks of summer savory in zone 2b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BorageMay 20–May 27
- DillMay 13–May 20
- AniseMay 20–May 27
- Chamomile (German)May 20–May 27
- CilantroMay 20–May 27
- Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)May 20–May 27
Summer savory is a low, bushy annual with a peppery, thyme-adjacent flavor that's traditionally paired with beans so often its German name, Bohnenkraut, translates directly to "bean herb." It's milder and less woody than its perennial cousin, winter savory, and dies back completely each fall rather than persisting.
How summer savory fits zone 2's season
Zone 2b's frost-free window runs about 104 days, from May 20 to September 1. Summer savory needs about 60 days from sowing to first harvest.
Summer Savory planting windows in every zone
Zone 2b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b (your zone) | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | Jul 19–Jul 26 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 18–Apr 25 | May 30–Jun 6 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 9–Jul 16 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 24–Jul 1 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 9–Jun 16 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 24–May 31 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | Apr 16–Apr 23 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 31–Apr 7 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | Mar 2–Mar 9 |
Harvest dates are about 60 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for summer savory.
Where to buy summer savory seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market (each supplier's summer savory seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing summer savory" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 2b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Summer Savory in USDA zone 2b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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