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When to Plant Savory in Caribou County, ID

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.

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 109 days.

At an elevation of 6,562 feet, Caribou County receives approximately 15.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Savory to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Caribou County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
109 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
109 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Caribou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 14

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 Caribou County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“8.1) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 109-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/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

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 โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.2" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Caribou County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~645 GDD — county provides 1,171 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Caribou County, ID

Savory Planting Calendar

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

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 โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

109 days in Caribou County

Growing Tips for Savory in Caribou County

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

Caribou County receives only 15" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture โ€” 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 Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caribou County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Caribou County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.