FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 12 – Apr 19. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Louisville and as late as May 1 in Shelbyville.

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
LouisvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
LexingtonFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Lexington-FayetteFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
MeadsFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Bowling GreenFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
OwensboroFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
CovingtonFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
RichmondFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
GeorgetownFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
FlorenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
HopkinsvilleFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
NicholasvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
ElizabethtownFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
HendersonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
FrankfortFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
JeffersontownFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
IndependenceFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
PaducahFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Valley StationFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
RadcliffFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
AshlandFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
NewburgFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
MadisonvilleFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
MurrayFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
ErlangerFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
WinchesterFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
Fern CreekFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Saint MatthewsFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
OkolonaFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
DanvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 12 – Apr 19. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Louisville and as late as May 1 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant thyme in other states

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