For best results, harvest thyme at the end of summer, just after its buds appear.
- Use a pruner or proper garden shears when harvesting thyme.
- Cut the stems in clumps, going close to the base.
- Don’t cut into the stem’s woody part; this is needed for regrowth.
- Cutting individual stems is unnecessary.
How do you harvest thyme so it keeps growing?
- Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches of growth.
- It’s best to harvest thyme in morning after the dew has dried.
- Two or more crops may be gathered during the season.
- Or, if you keep trimming your thyme plant, it will keep growing (and also keep a compact shape).
Does thyme regrow after cutting?
Trim thyme back after it’s finished flowering to promote new growth. This will give you more leaves to harvest through autumn. If you don’t tidy them up, plants become woody and will need replacing after three years. Once established, thyme won’t need watering.
How many times can you harvest thyme?
If the thyme is at least 4-5 inches across in diameter, it has matured and is ready for harvest! You can harvest fresh thyme periodically throughout the growing season, spring and summer. For the most flavor from your herbs, trim cuttings right before or as the plant flowers.
How do you pick fresh thyme?
Luckily, there’s a much more useful kitchen tool that you can turn to solve your woody herb problems: a fine-mesh strainer. Simply push the end of the thyme stem through a hole and carefully but forcefully pull the stem through. The leaves will be collected in the strainer, ready to use whole or be chopped.
Can you still harvest thyme after it flowers?
Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Once the plant begins to flower, the herb begins to lose some of its flavor and potency. The thyme can still be used after it flowers, just expect a milder flavor. Cut the thyme when it reaches 8–10 inches (20–25 cm).
Should you stop thyme flowering?
Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.
How many years does thyme last?
Thyme is a perennial herb that often only lives for 5 or 6 years even with good care. After 3 years thyme plants growth tends to slow down and produce less leaves with a weak aroma and inferior flavour compared to younger thyme plants.
Will thyme come back year after year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
How do you dry and store fresh thyme?
Hang the small bunches on a nail or hook in a warm, dark place with good airflow and low humidity. After 1 to 2 weeks, once the leaves have completely dried, remove the leaves by running fingers down the stem, and store the thyme in a mason jar or other airtight container.
Do you take thyme off the stalk?
If a recipe calls for “fresh thyme,” the leaves need to be pulled off of the stem. To remove the leaves from a sprig of fresh thyme, simply hold the sprig at the top with one hand, pinch the sprig at the top with the other hand, and then slide those fingers down the stem, which will pull off the leaves as you go.
Should I dry or freeze fresh thyme?
To store herbs long-term, fresh herbs can be frozen — but don’t just toss them in a baggie! If you do, they’ll likely freeze together and form ice crystals that will drain and muddy their flavor when they defrost. Instead: Thoroughly dry herbs (water droplets will cause splattering during cooking) and chop them.
Is thyme better fresh or dried?
The rule of thumb is that if you are cooking a dish on the stovetop for more than a few minutes, it’s best to use dried herbs. While you can use fresh herbs, after cooking them for 10 minutes or longer, the natural oils that make the herbs taste fresh are released.
What do you do with flowered thyme?
Pinch off flowers and leaves to use as a flavorful garnish on salads, soups, or quiches. The flowers are often used to enhance herbed butters or spreads. To store Flowering thyme, keep sprigs wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to a week. Gently rinse under cool water before use.
How do I prepare thyme for the winter?
Cut the plants nearly to the ground after the first hard frost, then cover the plants with soil and top the soil with 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) of mulch. A layer of evergreen boughs will also protect perennial herbs from harsh, drying winds.
Can you freeze fresh thyme?
Here’s how: Wash the herbs (still on their branches), dry them thoroughly, strip the leaves from the branches, and put them in labeled plastic zipper-type freezer bags. With herbs such as rosemary and thyme, you don’t even need to strip the leaves from the branches. Press out all the air, seal and freeze.
How often should I water thyme?
Thyme is an herb that can thrive with very little watering. You should only have to water this herb every 10–15 days. Thyme is also a plant that can thrive in colder months thanks to its hardy nature.
How do you extend the life of thyme?
Keep Hard, Woody Herbs (Like Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Chives, and Oregano) in Damp Towels. Loosely wrap hard, woody herbs in a slightly damp paper towel to keep them moist enough to not don’t dry out.
Do you chop all of thyme?
To remove the leaves from the stem, slide your fingers down the stem while holding the top, which will pull off the leaves as you go. Fresh thyme leaves are so small that they usually do not need to be chopped. Unlike some other fresh herbs, fresh thyme can be added early on in the recipe.
Can you harvest thyme all year round?
As thyme is evergreen, the leaves can be harvested all year round, but the soft new growth in summer has the best flavour.
Will potted thyme survive winter?
Pot up and bring inside
However, there is always some risk of killing a plant by doing this, so take your time and be gentle with them. Mint, oregano, and thyme will survive winter, but if you bring them inside in pots you can enjoy fresh herbs for cooking with all winter long.