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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Greene County, MO

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.

Greene County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Greene County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Greene County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,120 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, MO

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 28

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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

195 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, MO?

Greene County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, MO?

Greene County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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