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When to plant Lemon Thyme in Cheyenne County County,

Cheyenne County County's short 158-day growing season means one Lemon Thyme planting between May 11 and May 25. No fall crop in Zone 6a.

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Cheyenne County, KS

Cheyenne County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Cheyenne County, Kansas gardeners: here's your June plan

Your Cheyenne County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 9
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in 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.

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 967 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Cheyenne County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9
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Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Thyme Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 8

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 Cheyenne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) is within Lemon Thyme's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Lemon Thyme.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 158-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

Lemon Thyme Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Cheyenne 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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,291 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline — Cheyenne County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

158 days in Cheyenne County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Cheyenne County

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

Cheyenne County receives only 24" of rain annually. Lemon Thyme needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Cheyenne County County, ?

In Cheyenne County County, , plant Lemon Thyme after the last frost (around May 4) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cheyenne County County, for Lemon Thyme?

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

Can Lemon Thyme grow in Cheyenne County County's climate?

Yes — Lemon Thyme grows well in Cheyenne County County's temperate climate. Cheyenne County County averages a 158-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 4 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Cheyenne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cheyenne County (Zone 6a). 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 Cheyenne County, KS. 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.