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When to Plant Savory in Dickey County, ND

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.

Dickey County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 550 feet, Dickey County receives approximately 20.9 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.

Dickey County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Dickey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 Dickey County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.7) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

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

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 142-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 48 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 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€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Dickey 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 1,526 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline โ€” Dickey County, ND

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 6

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 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

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

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 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

142 days in Dickey County

Growing Tips for Savory in Dickey County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 10 in Dickey County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Dickey County receives only 21" 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 Dickey County, ND?

Dickey County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dickey County, ND?

Dickey County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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