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When to Plant Savory in Owyhee County, ID

Owyhee County, Idaho Zone 7a May

Your May planting checklist for Owyhee County, Idaho

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Owyhee County, Idaho.

Avg. last frost June 9
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
Looking ahead to 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.

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 4,621 feet, Owyhee County receives approximately 18.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Savory during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savory successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Owyhee County, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Owyhee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16

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 Owyhee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Owyhee County is excellent for Savory — 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 103-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Owyhee 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 1,802 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Owyhee County, ID

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 16 Jun 16 – Jun 30
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 – Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

103 days in Owyhee County

Growing Tips for Savory in Owyhee County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after June 09 in Owyhee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Owyhee County receives only 18" 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 Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 20.

🌱

Your Owyhee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Owyhee County (Zone 7a). 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 Owyhee 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.