Thymes Seeds
Seeds of thyme are so tiny, thyme seeds should be sown very shallowly or pressed into the soil with a fine layer sprinkled on top. Better to plant seed in a nursery bed (Picture no. 1) where more attention can be paid to the tiny plants. In the seedbed, plant thyme seeds in early spring with the drills 4 to 6 inches (10 – 12 cm) apart with 5 or 6 seeds per inch (2,5 cm) . Cover the seeds with a dry soil. Mist your seeds with water. Thyme prefers bright light or full sun. You can also choose an east-facing windowsill. Germination is slow taking from 14 to 28 days.
Thyme is a low-growing, woody perennial. It is a highly aromatic Mediterranean herb that performs especially well in somewhat dry, sunny conditions. Thyme is a wonderful herb with a pleasant, pungent, clover flavor. There are both fragrant ornamental types as well as culinary thyme varieties which add a savory note to summer soups, grilled meats, and vegetables. A low-growing hardy perennial, thyme is a fragrant herb with small, fragrant leaves and thin, woody stems. Thyme comes in over fifty varieties with different fragrances and flavors. Fresh or English thyme are used most often in cooking. Originally from the Mediterranean area, this herb is drought-friendly so it doesn’t have high watering needs. Thyme can grow in the ground or in a container. Either is left outside in wintertime. New leaves will emerge within the early spring. Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat. If you are growing in a pot indoors, plant near a sunny window. Soil needs to drain well so there aren’t “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials. Plant cuttings or young thyme plants any time after the ground temperature reaches 70°F (21 °C). This is usually 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost in well-drained soil about 9 inches (22 cm) apart. Space young plants 12 to 24 inches (30 – 60cm) apart, depending upon the specific variety. The plants should grow 6 to 12 inches (15 – 30 cm) in height. If you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary which also likes sunny conditions and has similar watering needs. Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry. Prune the plants back in the spring and summer to contain the growth. Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches ( 12 – 15 cm) of growth. If you have cold winters, remember to lightly mulch around the plants after the ground freezes. Fresh thyme should be stored refrigerated and wrapped lightly in plastic; it should last one to two weeks. To dry thyme, hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated, warm area. You can also just dry the leaves by placing them on a tray. Once dried, store them in an airtight container. Crush just before using. Freezing is another method of storage
