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When to Plant Thyme in Cocke County, TN

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.

Cocke County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 3,577 feet, Cocke County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Cocke County, TN (Zone 7b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Cocke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Thyme Planting Timeline — Cocke County, TN

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 29

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

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Cocke County

Growing Tips for Cocke 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 Cocke County, TN?

Cocke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cocke County, TN?

Cocke County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Your Cocke County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cocke County (Zone 7b). 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 Cocke County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.