FrostCal

When to Plant Thyme in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Cleveland and as late as May 8 in Girard.

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
ColumbusFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
CincinnatiFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
ToledoFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
AkronFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
DaytonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
ParmaFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
CantonFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
YoungstownMar 6 – Mar 20May 1 – May 8
LorainFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
HamiltonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
SpringfieldFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
KetteringFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
ElyriaFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
LakewoodFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
Cuyahoga FallsMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
MiddletownFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 24 – May 1
NewarkMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 29 – May 6
EuclidFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
MentorMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
MansfieldMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 26 – May 3
BeavercreekFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
DublinFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Cleveland HeightsFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
StrongsvilleFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
FairfieldFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
FindlayFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
WarrenMar 13 – Mar 27May 8 – May 15
LancasterFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Grove CityFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant thyme in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Cleveland and as late as May 8 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, 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 Ohio

When to plant thyme in other states

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