Zone 6 · Herbs Growing Guide

When to Plant Thyme
in Zone 6

Drought-tolerant perennial that thrives on neglect. Perfect border plant. Harvest before flowering for strongest flavour. Woody perennial — prune to prevent legginess.

Plant outdoors
Mar 15 – May 1
Start indoors
Jan 15 – Feb 15
Last Frost
~Apr 1
Days to harvest
60–90 days
Difficulty
Easy
Plant now — Zone 6
Harvest window: Apr – Dec

Planting Calendar

In Zone 6, Thyme should be planted outdoors Mar 15 – May 1, after the average last frost date of approximately Apr 1. Start seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Feb 15 for a head start.

Near year-round harvest in Zone 6. Prune back hard in spring to rejuvenate.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Low
Spacing
12–18 inches
Soil
Sandy, well-draining, low fertility
Days to maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6.0–8.0
plant tip · Zone 6

Near year-round harvest in Zone 6. Prune back hard in spring to rejuvenate.

Feeding Schedule

How often
once a season
Feed type
balanced (10-10-10)
Key timing
early spring

Light feeder — excess feeding reduces aromatic oils. One light feed in spring when growth begins is all that's needed.

Companion Planting for Thyme

What you plant next to thyme makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Brassicas
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Strawberries
Keep away from
  • Basil
  • Mint

These guides get better when growers like you contribute. If something’s wrong or you’ve learned something worth sharing, we’d love to hear it.

What needs correcting?

What should it say?

Your zone (optional)

Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.

Your growing tip for Thyme

Your name (optional)

Your zone (optional)

Tips are reviewed before publishing. Accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when the plant app launches.

Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.

Common questions

In Zone 6, start thyme seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Mar 15 – May 1 after your last frost around Apr 1. Near year-round harvest in Zone 6. Prune back hard in spring to rejuvenate.
Zone 6 has an average last spring frost of approximately Apr 1 and a first fall frost around Oct 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for thyme include Brassicas, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Strawberries. Avoid planting near Basil, Mint, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Thyme typically takes 60–90 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 6. Expected harvest window: Apr – Dec.

Free app · iOS February 2028

Track your Thyme in plant

Get a live traffic light for every crop in your garden — zone-aware planting calendar, real-time weather alerts, and a community of growers near you.

Be first to back on Kickstarter and lock in the founding price.

Thyme in other zones
Crop Guides