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When to Plant Thyme in Tillamook County, OR

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.

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Tillamook County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season.

Tillamook County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Tillamook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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 ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Tillamook County, OR

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 6

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 8b

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Tillamook 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 Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillamook County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Tillamook County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.