Blog

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Lawrence 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.

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 530 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Thyme root diseases.

Lawrence County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,384 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, AR

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

222 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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