FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 26 in Atlantic City and as late as Apr 30 in Manville.

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
NewarkFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
Jersey CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
PatersonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
ElizabethFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
EdisonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
TrentonFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Toms RiverFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
CliftonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
CamdenFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
BrickFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
PassaicFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
Cherry HillFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Union CityFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
BayonneFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
MiddletownFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
East OrangeFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
North BergenFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
IrvingtonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
VinelandFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
South VinelandFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
WayneFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
New BrunswickFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
UnionFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
PiscatawayFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
JacksonMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 28 – May 5
LakewoodFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
HobokenFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
West New YorkFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
Perth AmboyFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
PlainfieldFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 26 in Atlantic City and as late as Apr 30 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, 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 New Jersey

When to plant thyme in other states

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