Aromatic leaves season meats, poultry, stews, sauces, soups, & dressings.
Thyme's one of the most widely used culinary herbs. Nutritionally, thyme contains numerous flavonoids that make it an antioxidant-rich food. It also has volatile oils that have antibacterial, antispasmodic, & carminative, or gas relieving, properties.
Sun: Full Sun
Days To Maturity: 180-200 Days
Life Cycle: Perennial
Height: 6"-12"
Spread: 6"-8"
Additional Uses: Container-Friendly, Easy Care, Eco-Friendly, Low Maintenance
Planting Time: April 11-May 13 in Louisville, Kentucky/Zone 7
Thin: 12"
- Thyme may be used fresh or dried. 6 Fresh Thyme sprigs = 3/4 teaspoon ground dried thyme. If your recipe calls for tablespoons of Fresh Thyme instead of sprigs, you can use the ratio 1 tablespoon of Fresh Thyme = about 3/4 teaspoon of dried thyme.
- To dry leaves, tie stems loosely in small bunches & hang in a dry, airy location out of the sun. OR spread on a cheesecloth or a window screen in a dry, shady location. OR dry herbs in the oven for 2-3 hours on a cookie sheet at the lowest heat, leaving the oven door open. OR use a dehydrator following the manufacturer’s instructions. When thoroughly dry, store in a tightly sealed container in a dry, dark location such as a cupboard. Depending on the method, thyme retains much of its volatile oil & antioxidant content when dried. According to Thyme, a book by Elisabeth Stahl-Biskup & Francisco Sáez, oven-drying's the worst method for preserving nutritional content.
- Favored in Mediterranean & Greek cuisine, thyme also has been used as a therapeutic herb for centuries. Many conditions are purported to be helped by thyme tea, including anxiety, fatigue, & depression. According to Gaea & Shandor Weiss, authors of Growing & Using the Healing Herbs, herbalists used thyme as an antispasmodic to treat convulsions in ancient times.
- Thyme may also be frozen in ice cube trays in water or olive oil. Remove the leaves from stems first.
- Thyme may also be added to vinegars, herb butters, & used to infuse honey.
$5.33/Plant
Thyme Plant
$5.33Price
- Select a location in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8". Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.
- Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.
- Carefully remove the plant from its pot & gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root development.
- Set the plants 12" apart.
- Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.
- Thoroughly water & apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2") to conserve water & reduce weeds.
- Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space & nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
- Mulches also help retain soil moisture & maintain even soil temperatures. For herbs, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed & will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
- Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1" of rain/week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It’s best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- The lifespan of thyme plants averages about 5-6 years. If you notice the plants are beginning to deteriorate, prune the existing plants back hard to rejuvenate them.
- Monitor for pests & diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.