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When to Plant Thyme in Fall River County, SD

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.

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,056 feet, Fall River County receives approximately 25.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Thyme to ensure they mature before fall.

Fall River County, SD (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Fall River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Thyme Planting Timeline — Fall River County, SD

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 5a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Fall River County

Growing Tips for Fall River 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 Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County is in Zone 5a 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 Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

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Your Fall River County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fall River County (Zone 5a). 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 Fall River County, SD. 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.