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When to Plant Thyme in Stanton County, NE

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.

Stanton County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 511 feet, Stanton County receives approximately 34.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Thyme to ensure they mature before fall.

Stanton County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Stanton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1

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 Stanton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.2) is within Thyme's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Thyme.

How to Plant Thyme

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

Succession Planting Thyme

2
successive plantings in your 167-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Thyme needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 2,171 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Stanton County, NE

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/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 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

167 days in Stanton County

Growing Tips for Thyme in Stanton County

Direct sow Thyme outdoors after April 26 in Stanton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Stanton County, NE?

Stanton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stanton County, NE?

Stanton County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stanton County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Stanton County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.