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When to Plant Savory in Griggs County, ND

Griggs County, North Dakota Zone 4a May

May in Griggs County, North Dakota — your action list

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

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Move savory from tray to bed

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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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.

Griggs County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 660 feet, Griggs County receives approximately 21.4 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.

Griggs County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Griggs County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 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 Griggs County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) overlaps with Savory's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Savory.

How to Plant Savory

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Savory

3
successive plantings in your 142-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Griggs 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 1,526 GDD Excellent fit

Savory Planting Timeline — Griggs County, ND

Savory Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 – Sep 7

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 4a

📆 Growing Season

142 days in Griggs County

Growing Tips for Savory in Griggs County

Direct sow Savory outdoors after May 11 in Griggs County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Griggs 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 Griggs County, ND?

Griggs County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Savory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Griggs County, ND?

Griggs County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.

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Your Griggs County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Griggs 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.

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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 Griggs County, ND. 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.