When to Plant Thyme in New Mexico

In a typical New Mexico 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 Feb 28 in Chaparral and as late as May 24 in Las Vegas.

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
AlbuquerqueFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 6 – Apr 13
Las CrucesJan 15 – Jan 29Mar 12 – Mar 19
Rio RanchoFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Enchanted HillsFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Santa FeMar 19 – Apr 2May 14 – May 21
RoswellFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
FarmingtonMar 7 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
South ValleyFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
ClovisFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
HobbsJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
AlamogordoJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 9 – Mar 16
CarlsbadJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 17 – Mar 24
GallupMar 16 – Mar 30May 11 – May 18
Sunland ParkJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
Los LunasFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
ChaparralJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 28 – Mar 7
DemingFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
Las VegasMar 29 – Apr 12May 24 – May 31
ArtesiaFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
Los AlamosMar 7 – Mar 21May 2 – May 9
PortalesFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
LovingtonJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
North ValleyFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
EspanolaMar 16 – Mar 30May 11 – May 18
Silver CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
AnthonyJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 28 – Mar 7
GrantsMar 22 – Apr 5May 17 – May 24

Showing the 27 most populous of 27 New Mexico cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Mexico cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in New Mexico?

In a typical New Mexico 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 Feb 28 in Chaparral and as late as May 24 in Las Vegas.

When is the last frost in New Mexico?

The average last spring frost in New Mexico ranges from February 28 in Chaparral to May 24 in Las Vegas, 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 Mexico

When to plant thyme in other states

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