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When to Plant Thyme in Morgan County, KY

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.

Morgan County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 3,954 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Thyme root diseases.

Morgan County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thyme needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, KY

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Sep 5

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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Morgan 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 Morgan County, KY?

Morgan County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, KY?

Morgan County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morgan County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Morgan County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.