Blog

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Stanton 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.

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Stanton County receives approximately 27.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Stanton County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Stanton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 29

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
0.7″/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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Stanton County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 13

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

171 days

Growing Tips for Stanton 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 Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stanton County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stanton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.