Blog

When to Plant Savory in Saguache County, CO

Saguache County, Colorado Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Saguache County, Colorado

Welcome to May in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 30
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Saguache County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.

At an elevation of 5,293 feet, Saguache County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall.

Saguache County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
113 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
113 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Saguache County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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 Saguache County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.4) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 113-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Saguache 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 ~600 GDD — county provides 1,130 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Saguache County, CO

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 20
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

113 days in Saguache County

Growing Tips for Savory in Saguache County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 30 in Saguache County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Saguache County receives only 24" 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 Saguache County, CO?

Saguache County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Saguache County, CO?

Saguache County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 20.

🌱

Your Saguache County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Saguache County (Zone 5b). 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 Saguache 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.