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When to Plant Lemon Thyme in Weber County, UT

Lemon thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with tiny, citrus-scented leaves. It combines the savory quality of thyme with a bright lemon flavor, excellent with fish and poultry.

Weber County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 6,211 feet, Weber County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Thyme during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lemon Thyme successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weber County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Weber County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Nov 6

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 Weber County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.7) is within Lemon Thyme's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Weber County is excellent for Lemon Thyme โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Lemon Thyme

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lemon Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Lemon 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Lemon Thyme needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 1,711 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Weber County, UT

Lemon Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

118 days in Weber County

Growing Tips for Lemon Thyme in Weber County

Direct sow Lemon Thyme outdoors after May 26 in Weber County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Weber County receives only 18" of rain annually. Lemon Thyme needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start from cuttings or divisions. Plant in well-drained soil. Trim back after flowering. Use as a fragrant ground cover or edging plant along garden paths.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Thyme in Weber County, UT?

Weber County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Lemon Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Weber County, UT?

Weber County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Weber County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Weber County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.