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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Greene County, NY

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, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 150 feet, Greene County receives approximately 49.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Greene County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 14

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,247 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, NY

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 26

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 5b

Growing Season

155 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, NY?

Greene County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, NY?

Greene County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 5b 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, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.