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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Henry County, VA

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.

Henry County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 1,171 feet, Henry County receives approximately 46.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Henry County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemon Thyme needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,522 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, VA

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 1

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 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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, VA?

Henry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, VA?

Henry County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Henry County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Henry County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.