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When to Plant Savory in Bonneville County, ID

Bonneville County, Idaho Zone 5b May

May in Bonneville County, Idaho — your action list

A quick May briefing for Bonneville County, Idaho gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 26
Avg. first frost September 19
Soil temp (4") 32°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • Transplants going out: savory

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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.

Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 116 days.

At an elevation of 7,993 feet, Bonneville County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season.

Bonneville County, ID (Zone 5b) Short season
116 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
116 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Bonneville County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 18

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 Bonneville County

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

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 116-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

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 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bonneville 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 1,595 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Bonneville County, ID

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

116 days in Bonneville County

Growing Tips for Savory in Bonneville County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 26 in Bonneville County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Bonneville 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 Bonneville County, ID?

Bonneville County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bonneville County, ID?

Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 19.

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Your Bonneville County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bonneville County (Zone 5b). 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 Bonneville 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.