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When to plant Lemon Thyme in Ware County, GA

Plant Lemon Thyme in Ware County during the brief March 11–March 25 window. With 263 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before November 22.

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Ware County, GA

Ware County, Georgia Zone 9a June

What to do in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Ware County, Georgia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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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.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Lemon Thyme may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lemon Thyme, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Thyme root diseases.

Ware County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Thyme Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11

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 Ware County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) is more acidic than Lemon Thyme prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Lemon Thyme.

How to Plant Lemon Thyme

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

Succession Planting Lemon Thyme

4
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

Lemon Thyme Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lemon Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lemon 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.

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline — Ware County, GA

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Ware County

Direct sow Lemon Thyme outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Lemon Thyme. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Ware County, GA?

In Ware County, GA, plant Lemon Thyme after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ware County, GA for Lemon Thyme?

Ware County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Lemon Thyme grows reliably in zones 5a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lemon Thyme grow in Ware County's climate?

Yes — Lemon Thyme grows well in Ware County's temperate climate. Ware County averages a 263-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Ware County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ware County (Zone 9a). 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 Ware County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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