Blog

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Hot Spring County, AR

Lemon thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, citrus-scented leaves. It combines the savory quality of thyme with a bright lemon flavor, excellent with fish and poultry.

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Hot Spring County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Hot Spring County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Hot Spring County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,696 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Hot Spring County, AR

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Hot Spring County

Start from cuttings or divisions. Plant in well-drained soil. Trim back after flowering. Use as a fragrant ground cover or edging plant along garden paths.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hot Spring County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Hot Spring County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.