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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Pulaski 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.

Pulaski County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 877 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 35.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Pulaski County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

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 (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,885 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, MO

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 27

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 โ€”
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

199 days

Growing Tips for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, MO?

Pulaski County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, MO?

Pulaski County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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