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When to plant Thyme in Hackett,

Hackett sits in cold Zone 8a. Plant Thyme April 12–April 26 for the single annual harvest; the October 31 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Thyme in Hackett, AR

Thyme
Hackett, AR Zone 8a June

Top priorities for Hackett, AR gardeners in June

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Hackett, AR this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Basket week: thyme

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: thyme

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Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, aromatic leaves and a warm, earthy flavor. It is one of the most versatile culinary and medicinal herbs.

Hackett, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 796 feet, Sebastian County receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Hackett, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Hackett Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Thyme Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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.

Soil Compatibility in Hackett

How your county's soil matches Thyme's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.8) overlaps with Thyme's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Sebastian County is excellent for Thyme — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Thyme.

How to Plant Thyme

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Thyme

3
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

Thyme Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Thyme

Thyme needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Sebastian County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Thyme Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Thyme needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,127 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline — Hackett, AR

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 – Aug 23

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Sebastian County

Growing Tips for Thyme in Hackett

Direct sow Thyme outdoors after April 05 in Sebastian County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Plant in well-drained, lean soil. Prune lightly after flowering. Replace plants every 3-4 years when they become woody.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Thyme in Hackett, ?

In Hackett, , plant Thyme after the last frost (around April 5) and before the first frost (around October 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hackett, for Thyme?

Hackett sits in USDA Zone 8a. Thyme grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Thyme grow in Hackett's climate?

Yes — Thyme grows well in Hackett's temperate climate. Hackett averages a 209-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 5 and first frost around October 31.

🌱

Your Sebastian County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sebastian County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Sebastian County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.