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When to Plant Savory in Fallon County, MT

Fallon County, Montana Zone 4b May

This month in Fallon County, Montana

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Fallon County, Montana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 20
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 37°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Transplant savory outside

    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.

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 6,441 feet, Fallon County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, 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.

Fallon County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Fallon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5

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 Fallon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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 123-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 6/10 — 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fallon 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 ~645 GDD — county provides 1,322 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Fallon County, MT

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 4b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Fallon County

Growing Tips for Savory in Fallon County

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

Fallon County receives only 20" 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 Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County is in Zone 4b 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 Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

🌱

Your Fallon County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fallon County (Zone 4b). 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 Fallon County, MT. 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.