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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Ness 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.

Ness County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 668 feet, Ness County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Ness County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Ness County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21

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 ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Ness County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 8

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 6a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Ness 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 Ness County, KS?

Ness County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ness County, KS?

Ness County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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