When to plant thyme in Baltimore, Maryland

March 24 – April 7

Transplant outdoors · typical Baltimore year

Climate basis: NOAA station Md Sci Ctr Baltimore, MD (USW00093784), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Baltimore (ZCTA 21202 centroid), elevation 20 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant thyme outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 24). One year in ten still freezes after April 4.

Last spring freezeMarch 241-in-10 after Apr 4
First fall freezeNovember 211-in-10 before Nov 7
Frost-free season244 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 11Dec 5kills even hardy greens
USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low not frost timing

The Baltimore year

Transplant outdoorsMar 24 – Apr 7
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 4
Thyme in Baltimore · freeze context from Md Sci Ctr Baltimore, MD, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Transplant outdoors

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Oklahoma State Table 1: plant thyme after the last spring frost (seed or cuttings; most gardeners set out plants). Point rule given a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 24). Oklahoma State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

The cited guide gives no indoor seed-starting lead time for thyme, so no window is calculated.

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time direct sowing for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: A hardy perennial once established; harvest lightly the first season.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

Keep exploring