Thyme (Latin name - Thymus vulgaris) - Perennial

Thyme is one of the most fragrant herbs and one of the essential herbs to have in the vegetable garden

Plant Height - 30cm/ 12″

Where to Sow - Indoors in pots 7.5cm/3″ diameter

Sowing time - March/April - temperature +16C/61F

• very thinly
• in a soil-based compost, not peat
• cover lightly with compost
• water well
• place in sealed polythene bags or cover with glass
• water from beneath keeping compost moist but not too wet.

After Germination

• remove from bags or glass
• place in light position (out of direct sunlight)
• thin to 3 plants per pot when the plants are about 12mm/1/2″ tall, using tweezers.

Growing on Thyme

• harden off indoor raised plants
• move outside when no longer a danger of frost
• when plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and either:

plant in pots - 15cm/6″ pots. Pinch out growing tips regularly to produce bushy plants.

or plant in ground - into well drained soil 25cm/10″ apart.

Site

• Full sun
• Well drained soil

Harvest whole stems as required

Storage of Thyme

Dry leaves on a screen and store in an airtight container.

Uses of Thyme

Used in cooking to add a fragrance to all meat, fish and cheese. How do you use thyme?

Click this link for a thyme growing card