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When to Plant Thyme in Stoddard 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.

Stoddard County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 1,112 feet, Stoddard County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Stoddard County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Stoddard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thyme needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,570 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Stoddard County, MO

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 25

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 6b

Growing Season

204 days

Growing Tips for Stoddard 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 Stoddard County, MO?

Stoddard County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stoddard County, MO?

Stoddard County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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