When to plant thyme in Shelton, WA

Plant young thyme plants in Shelton Mar 30 – May 25.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Shelton's typical last spring frost is April 27. 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 Mar 30 – May 25, 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 Shelton, WA?

Typically April 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Shelton Sanderson Field.

Is it too late to plant thyme in Shelton?

The spring planting window runs through May 25. 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 Shelton around the same time

Planting dates for thyme in nearby areas

Seattle and Tacoma, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Everett, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Olympia, WA Apr 1 – May 27
Kent, Renton and Auburn, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Bremerton and Port Orchard, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Portland, OR Mar 15 – May 10

Full planting calendar for Shelton · Thyme in every city