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When to Plant Sage in Richardson County, NE

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.

Richardson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 761 feet, Richardson County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sage during the growing season.

Richardson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Richardson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26

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.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sage needs ~1,196 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Sage Planting Timeline โ€” Richardson County, NE

Sage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

75โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Richardson County

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 Richardson County, NE?

Richardson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Sage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richardson County, NE?

Richardson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richardson County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Richardson County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.