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When to Plant Savory in Esmeralda County, NV

Esmeralda County, Nevada Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Esmeralda County, Nevada

Your Esmeralda County, Nevada garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Get savory in the ground

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

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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.

Esmeralda County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 3,975 feet, Esmeralda County receives approximately 9.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99°F, so Savory may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — 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.

Esmeralda County, NV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14
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Esmeralda County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Esmeralda County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.2) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Esmeralda County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Savory will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 166-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 708 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0.2" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Esmeralda 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 ~1,455 GDD — county provides 4,025 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Esmeralda County, NV

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 – May 22
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Esmeralda County

Growing Tips for Savory in Esmeralda County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 01 in Esmeralda County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Esmeralda County dries quickly — mulch Savory with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 99°F in Esmeralda County, provide afternoon shade for Savory and water deeply in the morning.

Esmeralda County receives only 10" 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 Esmeralda County, NV?

Esmeralda County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Esmeralda County, NV?

Esmeralda County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Your Esmeralda County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Esmeralda County (Zone 7a). 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 Esmeralda County, NV. 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.