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When to Plant Savory in Denver County, CO

Denver County, Colorado Zone 6a May

Your May gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 26
Soil temp (4") 38°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Move savory from tray to bed

    Frost risk is low now in Denver County, Colorado. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

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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.

Denver County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 6,818 feet, Denver County receives approximately 20.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Denver County, CO (Zone 6a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Denver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7

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 Denver County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.8) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Denver 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 1,856 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Denver County, CO

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Denver County

Growing Tips for Savory in Denver County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 14 in Denver County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Denver County receives only 20" 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 Denver County, CO?

Denver County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Denver County, CO?

Denver County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 26.

🌱

Your Denver County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Denver County (Zone 6a). 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 Denver County, CO. 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.