To help thyme get through the winter apply 1 to 2 inches mulch after the soil has cooled from summer temperatures but before the ground freezes.
How do I keep my thyme plant healthy?
How to care for thyme. Thyme will rarely need watering apart from during very prolonged periods of dry or drought conditions in summer. Ensure plants in pots are not allowed to completely dry out. Thyme doesn’t like rich soil, but will benefit from a light feeding of a high potash plant food in spring.
Does thyme need compost?
Thyme can be brought at ready-grown plants, but is also easy to grow from seed. In early spring fill small pots with seed sowing compost and scatter a few seeds lightly over the surface. Cover with a light layer of sieved compost and water gently.
Does thyme need to be stratified?
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.
What kind of soil does thyme like?
Plant it in free-draining soil or gravel in spring or autumn. It’s particularly well suited to growing in gravel gardens, cracks in paving or at the edge of paths. If growing in a container, use a soil-based compost with plenty of grit added, and keep it raised off the ground to aid drainage.
How do you care for outdoor thyme?
- Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat.
- Soil needs to drain well so there aren’t “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials.
- In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary.
How often should you water thyme?
every 10–15 days
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 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.
How do you encourage thyme to grow?
Really, the more you trim your thyme, the more it grows. Cut fresh stems in the morning, leaving behind tough, woody portions. Leave behind at least five inches of growth, so that the plant can still flourish. Regular pruning not only encourages more growth, but also promotes a more rounded shape.
Does thyme come back every 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.
Does thyme need to go dormant?
Thyme plants have no special needs when it comes to temperature and humidity and can thrive through most months of the year until there is frost (at which point they will go dormant for the winter).
Does thyme need a heat mat?
To help ensure the greatest success of your thyme seeds germinating you should: Use a heat mat to ensure the gardening pot remains at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a grow light to control how much light your thyme seeds receive.
How long does it take for thyme to mature?
70 days
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Perennial woody herb | Tolerance: |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Maturity: | 70 days | Attracts: |
| Spacing: | 12-24 inches | Companion Planting: |
| Planting Depth: | Surface sow or lightly cover (seeds) | Avoid Planting With: |
| Height: | 5-18 inches | Family: |
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.
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 spread when planted?
Creeping Thyme Varieties
The larger stem segments also provide more rooting space when they touch the soil; the segment roots at this soil connection point to spread the plant even further. This spreading action makes creeping thyme perfect for infrequent foot traffic in a garden or decorating an outdoor wall.
What do you do with thyme in the winter?
Wet conditions kill more herbs in winter than the cold, so place container-grown perennials such as oregano, thyme, sage and rosemary in a sheltered position against a wall or the side of the house or garage.
Does thyme spread easily?
They will cover up stepping stones, spreading their stems onto paving searching for ground to root in. Slower growing thymes are more appropriate for small spaces like those between flagstones. Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next.
Why is my thyme turning brown?
The reason thyme plants turn brown is because of fungal disease caused by excess moisture around the roots. Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that prefers somewhat dry conditions. Over watering and slow draining soils promote the conditions for fungal pathogens that cause thyme plants to turn brown.
What is the best fertilizer for thyme?
Feed thyme plants each spring with all-purpose 10-10-10 ratio fertilizer. Apply it at half-strength to keep the plant from producing too much foliage, which will diminish the potency of thyme’s fragrant oils. Water the plants thoroughly after feeding to distribute the fertilizer into the soil.
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.