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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Brown County, IN

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.

Brown County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 914 feet, Brown County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Brown County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 18

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Brown County, IN

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 30

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 Transplant Outdoors
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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Brown 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 Brown County, IN?

Brown County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, IN?

Brown County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brown County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Brown County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.