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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Barber County, KS

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.

Barber County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 964 feet, Barber County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Barber County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Barber County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 15

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 101 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 3,360 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Barber County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 2

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 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 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Barber 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 Barber County, KS?

Barber County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barber County, KS?

Barber County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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