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When to Plant Thyme in Marshall County, KY

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.

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 1,550 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Marshall County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Thyme

Thyme needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Marshall County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, KY

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

212 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Marshall County

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Marshall County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.