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When to Plant Thyme in Tillman County, OK

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.

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Tillman County receives approximately 25.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Tillman County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Tillman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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 Tillman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.5) is within Thyme's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Tillman 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

3
successive plantings in your 217-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Thyme

Thyme needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Thyme Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 2.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 1.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 0.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Tillman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Thyme Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Thyme needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Tillman County, OK

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 21

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

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 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

217 days in Tillman County

Growing Tips for Thyme in Tillman County

Direct sow Thyme outdoors after April 03 in Tillman 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillman County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Tillman County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.