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When to Plant Thyme in Lamar County, TX

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.

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 95 feet, Lamar County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Thyme during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Thyme will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Thyme root diseases.

Lamar County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Lamar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Thyme needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,471 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Lamar County, TX

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

245 days

Growing Tips for Lamar 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 Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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