FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in Kansas

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 4 in Kansas City and as late as Apr 28 in Garden City.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 85–95 days

Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Thyme Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
WichitaFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
Overland ParkFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
Kansas CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
OlatheFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
TopekaFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
LawrenceFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
ShawneeFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
ManhattanFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
LenexaFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalinaFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
HutchinsonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
LeavenworthFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
LeawoodFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
Dodge CityFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
Garden CityMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
EmporiaFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Junction CityFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
DerbyFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
Prairie VillageFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
HaysFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
GardnerFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
LiberalFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
PittsburgFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
NewtonFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
Great BendFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
McPhersonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
El DoradoFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
AndoverFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 10 – Apr 17
OttawaFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
WinfieldFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 40 Kansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kansas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Kansas?

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 4 in Kansas City and as late as Apr 28 in Garden City.

When is the last frost in Kansas?

The average last spring frost in Kansas ranges from April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do thyme take to grow?

Thyme typically take 85–95 days from planting to harvest. Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Other Crops in Kansas

When to plant thyme in other states

Related Guides