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When to plant Lemon Thyme in Lyon County County,

Lyon County County sits in cold Zone 6b. Plant Lemon Thyme April 19–May 3 for the single annual harvest; the October 25 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Lyon County, KS

Lyon County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June game plan for Lyon County, Kansas

June is a pivotal month for Lyon County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: 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.

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 629 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season.

Lyon County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Thyme Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12

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 Lyon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.3) is within Lemon Thyme's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — 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 196-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Lemon Thyme Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lyon 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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,136 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline — Lyon County, KS

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Lyon County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Lyon County

Direct sow Lemon Thyme outdoors after April 12 in Lyon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Lyon 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 Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

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

In Lyon County County, , plant Lemon Thyme after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

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

Lyon County 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 Lyon County County's climate?

Yes — Lemon Thyme grows well in Lyon County County's temperate climate. Lyon County County averages a 196-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Lyon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lyon 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 Lyon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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