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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Marion 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.

Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 546 feet, Marion County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Marion County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,280 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, AR

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 23

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 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, AR?

Marion County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, AR?

Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Marion County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.