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When to Plant Savory in Adams County, ID

Adams County, Idaho Zone 6a May

May in Adams County, Idaho — your action list

Your garden in Adams County, Idaho is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost May 20
Avg. first frost September 25
Soil temp (4") 39°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Move savory into the garden

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

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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.

Adams County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.

At an elevation of 6,593 feet, Adams County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Adams County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
128 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
128 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 20

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 Adams County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–8.0) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Adams County is excellent for Savory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savory.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 128-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Adams County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 1,760 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Adams County, ID

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

128 days in Adams County

Growing Tips for Savory in Adams County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 20 in Adams County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Adams County receives only 21" of rain annually. Savory needs consistent moisture — 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 Adams County, ID?

Adams County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, ID?

Adams County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 25.

🌱

Your Adams County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Adams County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Adams County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.