Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Perennial woody shrub | Flower/Foliage Color: |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure: | Full sun | Soil pH: |
| Spacing: | Thin to 1 inch (seeds), 8-12 inches (transplants) | Soil Drainage: |
| Planting Depth: | 1/16 inch (seeds), depth of container (transplants) | Attracts: |
| Height: | 2-6 inches | Uses: |
Does thyme need deep soil?
Be sure to use loose soil and don’t worry about too much fertilizer, but you can add some time-release fertilizer or a little compost if you’d like. When transferring a seedling to a pot or container, plant with the root ball just below the surface. Planting too deeply can lead to rot and unhappy thyme.
How deep does thyme need to be planted?
¼ inch deep
Sow thyme seeds ¼ inch deep. Spacing: Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are 2 to 3 inches tall. Space rows 16 to 24 inches apart.
What soil is best for creeping thyme?
Creeping thyme plants grow best in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Like most herb plants, creeping thyme seems to thrive in poor soils. They will grow best in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade.
What is the best time to plant creeping thyme?
spring
Planting instructions
Creeping thyme does best in an area that gets about four hours of sun a day. Planting should be done in late spring or early summer, after the fear of frost has passed. This will allow the roots to establish themselves through the growing season.
Can thyme grow in shallow soil?
Thyme. Thyme is a very aromatic herb that thrives in dry soil. Don’t water this herb too often. It’s one of the most forgiving herbs in shallow soil, so it’s a great choice if your pot selection is limited.
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.
Can I use potting soil for thyme?
A good mix of sand, potting soil, peat moss and perlite will provide adequate nutrients and drainage. Thyme can tolerate indirect light, which makes it perfect for the kitchen herb garden. The best results will be found when thyme is planted where it receives six hours of daylight.
Does thyme have deep roots?
Thyme is very shallowly rooted and can dry out quickly, especially when the little plants are first transplanted. Thymes should remain moist but not soggy for best growth.
How do you encourage creeping thyme to spread?
Small leaves across the stem segments need a full sunlight location to adequately photosynthesize. Creeping thyme relies on this energy production for spreading speed and successful flowering. If you have a shady area, such as from an overgrown tree, creeping thyme responds with poor flowering and reduced spreading.
Will creeping thyme choke out weeds?
Creeping Thyme
Not only will this groundcover help choke out weeds, but it will also provide colorful interest and a delectable fragrance to your garden.
Will creeping thyme grow in gravel?
Sweep some small gravel or sand into the gap, water, and you’re good to go. Thyme grows very well under the warmth of clay bricks, concrete blocks or rocks in a wall. Most of the small creeping thyme varieties will fill in a 30 cm square (one square foot) area in about three seasons, depending on your climate.
Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?
“The creeping thyme does well as a dog-friendly ground cover. Irish Moss, Labrador Violet, Miniature Stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it) as well as snow in summer are rather dog-abuse-tolerant and are non-toxic.”
Does creeping thyme repel mosquitoes?
Thyme, including red creeping thyme (shown), possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.
Does creeping thyme need to be mowed?
Creeping thyme grows low to the ground, so you don’t have to mow it. (Most varieties don’t reach over 4”.) Although, if you prefer, you can mow once any flowers have died off. Most creeping thyme varieties flower, making it a pollinator-friendly turf replacement.
What herbs can grow in 3 inches of soil?
According to the University of California Cooperative Extension, chive roots are the shortest of all at only 3 inches long. Oregano (Origanum x majoricum), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) and thyme (Thymus spp.) can all manage with 6 inches of wiggle room for their roots.
How long do thyme plants live?
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.
What kind of soil does thyme like?
It is fairly drought tolerant and needs a well-drained, preferably alkaline, soil. It will grow well in fairly poor, even stony, soil. As plants will die in overly wet soils, and if your soil is heavy, poorly draining clay, thyme is perfect for growing in containers of John Innes No 2 compost.
Can I plant creeping thyme over grass?
Expert Response. 1) Yes, you must remove all the turf grass before you plant thyme. You didn’t say this, but I am assuming your existing lawn is Kentucky Bluegrass which is the typical turf in Denver. If not removed, KBG will act as a weed in your thyme and because it is rhizomatous, it will spread and take over.
Does creeping thyme come back every year?
Depending on your location, creeping thyme will either remain evergreen or it will lose its leaves and some stems will die over the winter. You don’t need to prune it, but to protect it as much as possible you can cover it with sand or gravel over the winter.
Should I water creeping thyme?
Water: Creeping thyme is drought-tolerant. Water new plants regularly until they are established, but avoid letting the plants sit in standing water or they will succumb to root rot.