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When to Plant Sage in Stevens County, KS

Sage is a woody perennial herb with velvety gray-green leaves and a warm, peppery flavor. It is a traditional seasoning for poultry, stuffing, and sausage.

Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,123 feet, Stevens County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sage during the growing season.

Stevens County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Stevens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21

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 Stevens County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Sage prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Stevens County is excellent for Sage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Sage.

How to Plant Sage

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

Succession Planting Sage

2
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sage needs ~1,196 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Sage Planting Timeline โ€” Stevens County, KS

Sage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

75โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

179 days in Stevens County

Growing Tips for Sage in Stevens County

Direct sow Sage outdoors after April 20 in Stevens County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start from seed or cuttings. Prune after flowering to maintain shape. Replace plants every 4-5 years when they become woody and less productive. Excellent drainage is essential.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cucumber
  • Rue

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sage in Stevens County, KS?

Stevens County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Sage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stevens County, KS?

Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stevens County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stevens County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.