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When to Plant Sage in Foster County, ND

Sage

Sage is a woody perennial herb with velvety gray-green leaves and a warm, peppery flavor. It is a traditional seasoning for poultry, stuffing, and sausage.

Foster County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 895 feet, Foster County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sage to ensure they mature before fall.

Foster County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
143 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Foster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Sage Planting Timeline — Foster County, ND

Sage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 – Sep 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

75–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

143 days in Foster County

Growing Tips for Foster County

Start from seed or cuttings. Prune after flowering to maintain shape. Replace plants every 4-5 years when they become woody and less productive. Excellent drainage is essential.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cucumber
  • Rue

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sage in Foster County, ND?

Foster County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Sage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Foster County, ND?

Foster County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Foster County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Foster County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Foster County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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