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When to plant Lemon Thyme in Wabash County County,

Plant Lemon Thyme in Wabash County County during the brief April 16–April 30 window. With 202 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 28.

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Wabash County, IL

Wabash County, Illinois Zone 6b June

What to do in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Wabash County, Illinois this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Collect lemon thyme at their peak

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: lemon thyme

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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.

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Wabash County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Wabash County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Wabash County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Thyme Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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 Wabash County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.3) overlaps with Lemon Thyme's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Lemon Thyme will thrive.

How to Plant Lemon Thyme

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

Succession Planting Lemon Thyme

3
successive plantings in your 202-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.

Lemon Thyme 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 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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline — Wabash County, IL

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

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

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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Wabash County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Wabash County

Direct sow Lemon Thyme outdoors after April 09 in Wabash County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Wabash County, ?

In Wabash County, , plant Lemon Thyme after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wabash County, for Lemon Thyme?

Wabash County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lemon Thyme grows reliably in zones 5a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lemon Thyme grow in Wabash County's climate?

Yes — Lemon Thyme grows well in Wabash County's temperate climate. Wabash County averages a 202-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 28.

🌱

Your Wabash County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wabash County (Zone 6b). 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 Wabash County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.