When to plant thyme in Oregon and Washington

In Portland: Plant young thyme plants Mar 15 – May 10. In Bend: May 12 – Jul 7. Find your city below.

Drought-tolerant once established and hates wet feet. Raised beds and rocky edges suit it.

Thyme planting dates by city

City	Plant in the garden
Astoria, OR	Apr 1 – May 27
Baker City, OR	Apr 27 – Jun 22
Bend and Redmond, OR	May 12 – Jul 7
Burns, OR	May 14 – Jul 9
Coos Bay and North Bend, OR	Apr 1 – May 27
Eugene, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Gresham, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Klamath Falls, OR	May 12 – Jul 7
Medford, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Pendleton, OR	Apr 1 – May 27
Portland, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Roseburg, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Salem, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
The Dalles, OR	Apr 1 – May 27
Wilsonville and Canby, OR	Mar 15 – May 10
Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Bellingham, WA	Mar 15 – May 10
Ellensburg, WA	Apr 15 – Jun 10
Everett, WA	Mar 15 – May 10
Forks, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Moses Lake, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Olympia, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Omak and Okanogan, WA	Apr 15 – Jun 10
Seattle and Tacoma, WA	Mar 15 – May 10
Spokane, WA	Apr 15 – Jun 10
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Vancouver, WA	Mar 15 – May 10
Walla Walla, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Wenatchee, WA	Apr 1 – May 27
Yakima, WA	Apr 10 – Jun 5

Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant young thyme plants on your city's dates, 12 inches apart. Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot.
Water only until established; thyme prefers dry soil. Replace plants every few years when they get woody.
Harvest: Snip sprigs before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact.