Blog

When to Plant Savory in Pitkin County, CO

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.

Pitkin County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 6,411 feet, Pitkin County receives approximately 17.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pitkin County, CO (Zone 4a) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Pitkin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 24

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.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Savory needs ~690 GDD — county provides 954 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Pitkin County, CO

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Pitkin County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savory in Pitkin County, CO?

Pitkin County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pitkin County, CO?

Pitkin County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pitkin County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Pitkin County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.