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When to Plant Thyme in Klickitat County, WA

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.

Klickitat County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 466 feet, Klickitat County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 77ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Thyme to ensure they mature before fall.

Klickitat County, WA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Klickitat County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23

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 ~620 GDD — county provides 1,457 GDD Excellent fit

Thyme Planting Timeline โ€” Klickitat County, WA

Thyme Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 1

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Klickitat 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 Klickitat County, WA?

Klickitat County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Thyme planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Klickitat County, WA?

Klickitat County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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