When to plant thyme in Seattle and Tacoma, WA

Plant young thyme plants in Seattle and Tacoma Mar 15 – May 10.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Seattle and Tacoma's typical last spring frost is March 2. In the west-side valleys, the soil is usually ready for thyme around March 15.

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 Mar 15 – May 10, 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 Seattle and Tacoma, WA?

Typically March 2. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 23. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Is it too late to plant thyme in Seattle and Tacoma?

The spring planting window runs through May 10. 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 Seattle and Tacoma around the same time

Planting 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

Full planting calendar for Seattle and Tacoma · Thyme in every city