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When to Plant Sage in Beaver County, UT

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.

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 7,589 feet, Beaver County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sage during the growing season.

Beaver County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Beaver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 28

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 Beaver County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Sage prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Beaver County is excellent for Sage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Sage.

How to Plant Sage

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Sage

Sage needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 1.3" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 1.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 2.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 2.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Beaver County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sage 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Sage needs ~1,134 GDD — county provides 1,801 GDD Excellent fit

Sage Planting Timeline โ€” Beaver County, UT

Sage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Oct 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

75โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

131 days in Beaver County

Growing Tips for Sage in Beaver County

Direct sow Sage outdoors after May 21 in Beaver County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Sage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Beaver County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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