Thyme can be divided in spring or autumn. Some say that spring is the best time, with warmer weather and longer days helping the divided plants to leap into growth, but I have good results with autumn divisions as they have the whole winter to rest and put down roots before the growing season resumes.
Should you thin thyme seedlings?
Sow thyme seeds ¼ inch deep. Spacing: Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are 2 to 3 inches tall.
What can I do with thyme seedlings?
Place the container in a warm location. Seeds will germinate in 1 to 12 weeks. Once thyme seedlings are 4 inches (10 cm.) high, plant them where you will be growing thyme in your garden.
How far apart do you space thyme?
Plant thyme in spring once chances of frost have passed. Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0. Before planting in-ground, improve your existing soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
When can I divide thyme?
Dividing Thyme
Thyme can be divided in spring or autumn. Some say that spring is the best time, with warmer weather and longer days helping the divided plants to leap into growth, but I have good results with autumn divisions as they have the whole winter to rest and put down roots before the growing season resumes.
When can I transplant thyme seedlings?
You should transplant your thyme plant into a traditional garden or raised garden 10 – 14 days after the average last frost. To help ensure the greatest success of your thyme plant thriving you should: Slowly acclimate your thyme plant to the outside environment.
What happens if you don’t Thin seedlings?
When left un-thinned, seedlings that are in tight quarters will compete with one another for nutrients, water, air, and root space. Those are not things you want to deprive your seedlings of! In addition to concerns about competition, crowding seedlings also increases the risk for disease.
How do you separate seedlings without killing them?
Cut the weak seedlings off at the base – It’s very important that you cut the stems off at the base, rather than pinching them out. And never try to pull the seedlings out of the soil while thinning. Doing that can damage the delicate roots of the others, which could end up killing them too.
Does thyme spread when planted?
Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next. In between the leaves is a stem segment. Some thymes produce sets of leaves very close together while others are spaced further apart. Stem segments grow faster without having to produce tightly knit sets of leaves.
Does thyme grow back after cutting?
Thyme grows back after cutting, and often grows back fuller and stronger. To make sure your plant bounces back, remove only the softest, greenest stems from the plant when harvesting. Never cut past the woody part of the stem. This is the place where new growth occurs.
How long does it take to grow thyme from seed?
Thyme grows very slowly from seed and after planting, germination can take up to 28 days. Because of this, it is usually grown from divisions or cuttings. If planting from seed, begin thyme indoors and scatter the seeds on top of the soil and do not cover them or only cover them lightly.
What can you not plant near thyme?
Although a variety of herbs (and even flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums) can often be planted together, certain kinds like parsley, cilantro, tarragon, basil and chives prefer a more moist soil, and should not be planted directly with thyme.
What happens if you plant herbs too close together?
If the spacing between herb plants is too tight, they suffer in several ways: They compete with each other for nutrients. Any disease the develops can pass quickly from one plant to the next. Less airflow promotes fungal diseases and rot.
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.
Does thyme like to be root bound?
Thyme is susceptible to root rot because it is a Mediterranean herb with a preference for dry soil conditions and it does not tolerate damp soil. Thyme plants with yellow leaves often have a wilting or a drooping appearance which is another sign of stress due to moist conditions, too much nitrogen, or pot bound roots.
Does thyme reseed itself?
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.
Do herbs need to be separated?
Some herbs don’t like to be planted together and will taste different or display stunted growth when grown next to an “enemy.” Instead, you may need to dedicate two separate areas to herbs, grow “moody” herbs in containers or scatter herbs among the vegetables that they’ve been known to complement or enhance.
Do you need to remove stems from thyme?
Cooking With Fresh Thyme
Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a “sprig” of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact.
Do you have to remove thyme stems?
The leaves should easily come off. Discard the woody stem and run a knife through the leaves. I usually like to chop mine just a little because I love large pieces of thyme in my dishes.
How big should seedlings be before transplanting?
about 2-3 inches high
Before you Transplant. As noted above, make sure that your seedling is about 2-3 inches high before transplanting. We also recommend transplanting a seedling after its two “true leaves” first come out. True leaves are the leaves that grow after the initial seed’s cotyledon leaves come out.
Does thyme need cold stratification?
Seed Preparation: Thyme seeds do best with a little cold stratification or an overnight soak. For tips, visit our post, “The Dirt on Successful Seed Germination” and be sure to use fresh thyme seeds. When Is It Thyme to Plant? Thyme is best started indoors in peat pots 6 to 10 weeks prior to your last spring frost.