Blog

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 535 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 49.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Lincoln County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26

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 ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,817 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, AR

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

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

235 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, AR?

Lincoln County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, AR?

Lincoln County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.