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When to Plant Savory in Catron County, NM

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.

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.

At an elevation of 8,232 feet, Catron County receives approximately 10.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Savory will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Catron County, NM (Zone 5b) Short season
111 days
Last Spring Frost June 3
111 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Catron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 304 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Savory needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,359 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Catron County, NM

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jun 24
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 30

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 โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

111 days

Growing Tips for Catron 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 Catron County, NM?

Catron County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 3. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Catron County, NM?

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 3 and first fall frost is September 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Catron County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Catron County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.