FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 25 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 4 in Boston and as late as May 10 in North Adams.

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
BostonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
WorcesterFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
SpringfieldMar 8 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
LowellMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
CambridgeFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
New BedfordFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
DorchesterFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
BrocktonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Fall RiverFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
QuincyFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
LynnFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
NewtonFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
SomervilleFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
LawrenceFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
FraminghamMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
Framingham CenterMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
WalthamMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
HaverhillMar 6 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
MaldenFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
BrooklineFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
MedfordFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
TauntonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
ChicopeeMar 8 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
North ChicopeeMar 8 – Mar 22May 3 – May 10
WeymouthFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
RevereFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
PeabodyFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
MethuenFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
South PeabodyFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
BarnstableFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 25 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 4 in Boston and as late as May 10 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts

When to plant thyme in other states

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