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When to Plant Thyme in Bourbon County, KS

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.

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Bourbon County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bourbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thyme needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,750 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Bourbon County, KS

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Bourbon 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bourbon 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 Bourbon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.