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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Clark 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.

Clark County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 867 feet, Clark County receives approximately 22.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Clark County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 312 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 3,591 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 3

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

189 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, KS?

Clark County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, KS?

Clark County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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