How to grow Thyme

Whether its dried thyme or fresh this is a fantastic herb to add to your collection. Thyme Evergreen is a plant that retains its leaves throughout the year. Woody- refers to the type of stem that are hard and thick like a tree or Shubert. Thyme is a perennial evergreen part of the mint family. Used for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. Called by a few names common thyme, garden thyme. Varieties come in lemon, lime, citrus. 300 varieties indigenous to the Mediterranean region used for embalming by Egyptians, Greeks used it in baths and as incense in temples. Romans are given credit for spreading thyme across Europe it was used to purify rooms, give aromatic flavor to cheese and liqueurs. There’s oil, dry, fresh. Companion plant, cosmetics, medicinal, perfumes, also used as.

Botanical Name: Thymus Vulgoris 

Depth: ¼"	Spacing: 12-24"	Row: 12-14"	Temp: 60-86F
Germ: 14-28 days	Sun: Full/partial	pH: 6.0-8.0	Harvest: 90-95
Soil: well-drained	Container: 4x6"	Fert: 10-10-10	Fert Freq: Once a month
Dimensions: 6x12"

Companion plant: Pepper plants

This article is about growing thyme from seed. Thyme is difficult to germinate, and sprout. Most grow thyme from cutting, root divisions or other propagation methods. Sow 8 weeks before last frost if your not familiar with thyme seeds as with many plants the seeds are very small. Some prefer to grow from cuttings or plants that have been divided using root division. Germination can take 14-28 days and likes temperatures of 70F. When your ready to sow your thyme seeds start about ¼, it’s usually easier to put seeds in bunches on the medium and put dirt on top evenly, seeds are so small trying to make a while and actually so is a pain. You can grow thyme in indoors as long as it gets all the light, water, and nutrients it’s needs in direct for 6 hours is perfect. Spacing isn’t a big concern at thus point. Plant dimensions vary from 6-12 wide/tall. The goal is 1-2 apart once established wherever there placed. Thyme does grow best sandy loom. But is fairly drought tolerant. Thyme can grow in well-drained alkaline soil. Even grows in poor stoney soil. The conditions to avoid is overly moist overly compacted soil like straight clay. Find a happy medium and you won’t have any problems growing. Thyme has a shallow root system, minimum container depth is 6x8 inches. Clay pots work well because the clay is porous. Sun requirements may vary, but they will grow leaves in partial shade, they may not flower. Make sure the spot or container you pick has enough drainage. Thin seedlings when they are 2-3 inches tall and have 1-2 sets of leaves. Use scissors or shears and cut seedlings off at soil level height. Transplanting is a easy process if your container growing then move to preferred location. Transplanting to garden requires a few. Once thyme reaches 3 inches tall and has 2-3 sets of leaves, set at the height it was in seed tray. Once your thyme is established there isn’t much to do. Prune regularly , including flowers Once they appear to promote leaf growth. Overwintering is possible but will be covered in another article.

Harvest in the growing season spring and summer. Use clean pruners or shears to cut fresh sprigs or leaves, avoid cutting the woody part. There’s a fee methods for harvesting your thyme. The come-and-cut or light cutting stimulates growth. Try not to take more then 1/3 at a time or leave 5 inches of bottom growth, cut above the leave node. Store properly.

Thyme seems to thrive on neglect, as long as the soil is well-drained and over watered.

Thyme got its name from the Greek thumos which means courage.

Thyme has a rich history that goes back a long time. These days most folks grow for fun, food, or competition. Thyme might be a challenge to grow but that's part of the adventure. So grab some seeds or divisions and dive in!