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When to Plant Thyme in Morton County, ND

Thyme

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.

Morton County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 752 feet, Morton County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Thyme to ensure they mature before fall.

Morton County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Thyme Planting Timeline — Morton County, ND

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

132 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Morton 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 Morton County, ND?

Morton County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morton County, ND?

Morton County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 23.

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Your Morton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morton County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Morton County, ND. 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.