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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Morton 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.

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Morton County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Morton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20

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

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

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,285 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Morton County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Sep 7

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

180 days

Growing Tips for Morton 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 Morton County, KS?

Morton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morton County, KS?

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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