When to Plant Thyme in Vermont

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Based on White River Junction · Zone 5a

Last frost: Sunday, May 10, 2026

State

Vermont

USDA Zones

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Cities Covered

285

Vermont Planting Schedule by Zone

Vermont spans 5 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant	Example Cities
4a	Friday, May 15, 2026	Friday, March 20, 2026	Friday, May 29, 2026	Derby, Derby Line, East Charleston
4b	Tuesday, May 5, 2026	Tuesday, March 10, 2026	Tuesday, May 19, 2026	East Ryegate, Groton, Mc Indoe Falls
5a	Sunday, May 10, 2026	Sunday, March 15, 2026	Sunday, May 24, 2026	White River Junction, Barnard, Bethel
5b	Saturday, April 25, 2026	Saturday, February 28, 2026	Saturday, May 9, 2026	Ascutney, Plymouth, Reading
6a	Monday, April 20, 2026	Monday, February 23, 2026	Monday, May 4, 2026	Brattleboro

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Thyme

Scientific Name Thymus vulgaris

Days to Maturity 90 days

Plant Type Ground cover

Sun Full Sun (6+ hours)

Water Low (drought tolerant)

Spacing 12" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Thyme

Good Companions

CabbageEggplantPotatoStrawberry

See the full companion planting guide for Thyme →

Growing Thyme in Vermont: Complete Guide

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Vermont's last frost. Most Vermont gardeners begin seeds indoors around Sunday, March 15, 2026 and move transplants outside around Sunday, May 24, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Vermont stretches across 5 USDA hardiness zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Thyme needs the indoor head start that Vermont's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Thyme requires full sun (6+ hours) and low (drought tolerant) moisture. Most of Vermont receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Vermont.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Thyme in Vermont?

In Vermont, start Thyme seeds indoors around Sunday, March 15, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, May 24, 2026 after your last frost. Vermont spans zones 4a–6a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Vermont?

Vermont spans 5 USDA zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), so last frost dates vary by region. Derby, Derby Line, East Charleston (4a) sees frost until around Friday, May 15, 2026, while Brattleboro (6a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Thyme take to grow in Vermont?

Thyme takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Vermont gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does Vermont cover for Thyme?

Vermont includes zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Thyme grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Adamant 5a Albany 4b Alburg 5a Arlington 5a Ascutney 5b Averill 4a Bakersfield 4b Barnard 5a Barnet 4b Barre 5a Barton 4b Beebe Plain 4b Beecher Falls 4a Bellows Falls 5b Belmont 5a Belvidere Center 5a Bennington 5b Benson 5a Bethel 5a Bomoseen 5a Bondville 5a Bradford 5a Brandon 5a Brattleboro 5b Bridgewater 5a Bridgewater Corners 5a Bridport 5a Bristol 5a Brookfield 5a Brownsville 5a Burlington 5b Cabot 4b Calais 5a Cambridge 5a Cambridgeport 5b Canaan 4a Castleton 5a Cavendish 5b Center Rutland 5a Charlotte 5a Chelsea 5a Chester 5b Chittenden 5a Colchester 5a Concord 4b Corinth 5a Coventry 4b Craftsbury 4b Craftsbury Common 4b Cuttingsville 5b Danby 5a Danville 4b Derby 4a Derby Line 4a Dorset 5a East Arlington 5a East Barre 5a East Berkshire 4b East Burke 4b East Calais 4b +225 more cities

Other Plants for Vermont

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree