Tips on how to grow Thyme from seed to harvest

This particular plant called Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing, woody perennial plant. Thyme plant is a highly aromatic Mediterranean herb that really performs well in dry, sunny conditions. Thyme plants really holds its flavor in cooking and it also blends well with other flavors of its native region, like garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes. This plant actually has antiseptic and preservative properties and it has long been used medicinally as well as to preserve meats. Thyme plants are also found in perfume. Without been told the tiny pink, lavender, or white tubular flowers of thyme plants show up in the spring and summer and are well liked by alot bees. Thyme plant has about 350 different species in many scents and flavors.

How to grow Thyme plant

This particular plant have different varieties that have different growing habits. There are some stand up flower stalks, why others form mats, and still others will cascade. There are some varieties that can form like a flat carpet. But in all Thyme plant is low growing, spreading, and it is about 6 to 10 inches in height.
There are some Thyme varieties that are best left alone to grow, because the more you fuss with the plant, the less hardy it will be. Make sure you give the Thyme plant a spot in full sun, Thyme plant handles hot, dry conditions better than cool, damp soil. The ideal soil for Thyme plant is a well drain soil that has about 7.0 pH or slightly alkaline.
The plant should be propagate by division or cuttings. Although Thyme plant may be grown from seed, but the different varieties cross-pollinate and hybridize, so it may not grow true from seed. When trying to cover a large area, make sure you space new plants about 6 inches apart to form a cover. The established Thyme plants can be harvested at any time because the leaves' flavor is retained even after flowering. Just simply snip a few stems.

The place to plant the Thyme

This herb is often used as a ground cover and it can grow in the cracks between pavers and rocks. Again you can also purchase seed in bulk to create a Thyme lawn. The trailing varieties actually look nice in pots, especially the golden and variegated varieties. This particular plant can be used as an edger but has a tendency to die out in spots, Just be prepared to fill in with new plants.

Some of the suggested Thyme varieties

Actually if you really want something a little different from the common Thyme (T. vulgaris), the following are a few varieties you can plant:

1. The Golden lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus "Aureus") variety: The Golden lemon Thyme has a true lemon scent as well as the minty quality of thyme and golden, variegated leaves.
2. The Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) variety: The Woolly thyme is very soft, flat spreading carpet (zones 5–6). The Woolly thyme has no scent, so it's not used for cooking. The Woolly thyme cascades nicely in rock gardens and can grow in patio cracks.
3. The Caraway Thyme (Thymus herba-barona) Variety: The Caraway Thyme variety is low growing variety with pale pink flowers and the scent of caraway.
4. The Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox) variety: The Creeping Thyme variety grows as a low mat, only two to three inches tall, with pink, magenta, lavender, or white flowers. The Creeping Thyme is often used as a ground cover.

You can also look for Thymes that has the scents of orange, rose, and lavender, which can make delicious additions to soups, herbed butters, and tea.

How to care for the plant

If you are actually growing the Thyme plant in warmer climates where it can get shrubby, make sure you prune hard in early spring, to prevent the plant from getting too woody. Also an additional shaping can be done after flowering.

The Pests problems in Thyme plant

There are some ants that actually like to build their nests in Thyme beds and this can disrupt the roots. Make sure you watch out for spider mites in dry weather. By peradventure if the plant is grown in damp or humid conditions, molds and rots can really become a problem to the plant. Make sure that extreme care is taken that the Thyme plants are not sitting in wet areas throughout the winter months. Make sure you cover it in the winter to protect it from damage after the soil freezes.
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