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When to Plant Thyme in Webb County, TX

Webb County, Texas Zone 9b May

May in Webb County, Texas — your action list

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost February 9
Avg. first frost December 9
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for thyme

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: thyme

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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.

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 3,543 feet, Webb County receives approximately 50.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Thyme may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Thyme root diseases.

Webb County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9
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Webb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23

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 Webb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) is within Thyme's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Thyme.

How to Plant Thyme

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Thyme

5
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 10 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 Thyme

Thyme needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 1.3" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 1.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.3" 1.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Webb County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

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.

Thyme needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 6,460 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline — Webb County, TX

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 – Jun 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

303 days in Webb County

Growing Tips for Thyme in Webb County

Direct sow Thyme outdoors after February 09 in Webb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Webb County, TX?

Webb County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 9. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webb County, TX?

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 9.

🌱

Your Webb County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webb County (Zone 9b). 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 Webb County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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