Rainline Garden
When to plant thyme in Olympia, WA
Plant young thyme plants in Olympia Apr 1 – May 27.
Why these dates
Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.
West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Sun
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 12 inches apart
- Planting depth
- Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot
- Frost
- Handles light frost
- First harvest
- Pick lightly the first year, freely after that
Step by step
- Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
- Plant young thyme plants Apr 1 – May 27, 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.
Varieties that do well here
- English thyme
- French thyme
- Lemon thyme
Watch out for
Root rot in heavy, wet soil. Give it gravelly soil or a raised spot.
Drought-tolerant once established and hates wet feet. Raised beds and rocky edges suit it.
Common questions
When is the last frost in Olympia, WA?
Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.
Is it too late to plant thyme in Olympia?
The spring planting window runs through May 27. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.
How long until I can pick thyme?
Pick lightly the first year, freely after that. Snip sprigs before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact.
Also plant in Olympia around the same time
Peas
Radishes
Spinach
Lettuce
Onions
Carrots
Beets
KalePlanting dates for thyme in nearby areas
- Portland, OR Mar 15 – May 10
- Gresham, OR Mar 15 – May 10
- Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 15 – May 10
- Salem, OR Mar 15 – May 10
- Eugene, OR Mar 15 – May 10
- Roseburg, OR Mar 15 – May 10