Blog

When to Plant Savory in Montrose County, CO

Montrose County, Colorado Zone 6b May

What to do in May

Each item below is timed to Montrose County, Colorado's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost June 13
Avg. first frost September 12
Soil temp (4") 45°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • Transplants going out: savory

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 6,494 feet, Montrose County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Montrose County, CO (Zone 6b) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
91 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Montrose County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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 Montrose County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.9) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

2
successive plantings in your 91-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 04 to harvest before frost.

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 — 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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Montrose 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 ~915 GDD — county provides 1,387 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Montrose County, CO

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 20 Jun 20 – Jul 4
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 – Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

91 days in Montrose County

Growing Tips for Savory in Montrose County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after June 13 in Montrose County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Montrose County receives only 18" 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 Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 12.

🌱

Your Montrose County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Montrose County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montrose 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.