Blog

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Harrison 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.

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 528 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Harrison County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Harrison 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 (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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.

Soil Compatibility in Harrison County

How your county's soil matches Lemon Thyme's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“7.1) overlaps with Lemon Thyme's range (6.0โ€“8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Harrison County is excellent for Lemon Thyme โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Lemon Thyme will thrive.

How to Plant Lemon Thyme

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Lemon Thyme

3
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

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
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,296 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, IN

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Harrison County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Harrison County

Direct sow Lemon Thyme outdoors after April 08 in Harrison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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