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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Wayne 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.

Wayne County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,322 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Wayne County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Wayne 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 (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 27

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
Drought risk

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

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, IN

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

174 days

Growing Tips for Wayne 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 Wayne County, IN?

Wayne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, IN?

Wayne County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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