When to Plant Thyme in Reading, Pennsylvania (19601)

Location

Reading, Pennsylvania

ZIP Code

19601

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, April 10, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Start Seeds Indoors Friday, February 13, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Friday, April 24, 2026

Pro Tip: Start Thyme seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Thymus vulgaris

Days to Maturity 90 days

Mature Height 6-12"

Spread 12"

Type Ground cover

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6+ hours)

💧

Water

Low (drought tolerant)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.125" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 14-21 days

Ready to Plant Thyme in Reading?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 13, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CabbageEggplantPotatoStrawberry

See the full companion planting guide for Thyme →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Thyme Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Common Thyme

species

Classic culinary thyme with small, fragrant leaves; essential in French cooking.

Lemon Thyme

cultivar

Bright citrus-scented thyme with golden-edged leaves; lovely in fish dishes and teas.

Creeping Thyme

species

Low-growing groundcover thyme with dense mats of tiny flowers; great between pavers.

French Thyme

cultivar

Broader-leaved variety with milder, sweeter flavor preferred in Provençal cooking.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Harvest tiny seed pods when brown and dry — just before they shatter.

Processing

Strip dried stems over a fine mesh, dry extra 2 days, store in small envelopes. Seeds are very tiny.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Thyme seeds can vary in flavor intensity. Propagate from stem cuttings to preserve culinary quality.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Thyme. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Reading, Pennsylvania? +

In Reading (Zone 7a), start Thyme seeds indoors around Friday, February 13, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Reading, Pennsylvania? +

The average last spring frost date for Reading, Pennsylvania (ZIP 19601) is around Friday, April 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7a.

How long does Thyme take to grow? +

Thyme typically matures in about 90 days from transplanting. In Reading, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 24, 2026 plus 90 days.

Should I start Thyme indoors or direct sow in Pennsylvania? +

Thyme should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Reading, that means starting around Friday, February 13, 2026.

Other Plants for Reading

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Growing Thyme in Zone 7a

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a popular garden vegetable. In Reading, Pennsylvania, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, February 13, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, April 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Thyme seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.