Blog

When to Plant Thyme in Phelps County, MO

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.

Phelps County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 1,057 feet, Phelps County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Phelps County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Phelps County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thyme needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 3,019 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Phelps County, MO

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 27

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

198 days

Growing Tips for Phelps 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 Phelps County, MO?

Phelps County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phelps County, MO?

Phelps County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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