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When to Plant Sage in Summit County, UT

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.

Summit County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.

At an elevation of 8,145 feet, Summit County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sage during the growing season.

Summit County, UT (Zone 5a) Very short season
94 days
Last Spring Frost June 10
94 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Summit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 13 – Nov 8

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
1.1″/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 1,363 GDD Good fit

Sage Planting Timeline โ€” Summit County, UT

Sage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 1
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

94 days

Growing Tips for Summit 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 Summit County, UT?

Summit County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Sage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Summit County, UT?

Summit County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Summit County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.