How to Grow Thyme
Planning the Site
Thyme likes well-drained light soil. It should not be too rich in nutrients, because this will only make the plant “leggy.” It will then lose its compact shape. Being a native of the Mediterranean, it needs to be planted under a full sun (i.e., it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight).
Preparing the Site
Thyme is grown from seeds. Start them indoors 6 weeks before the last frost. Give seedlings plenty of sun. You can also sow seeds directly in the garden. Cover the planting area lightly with fine garden soil. Space seeds or seedlings 8 inches apart. Select a place in the garden where the plants can live for several years without the need for replanting.
Required Materials
Materials needed are seeds, fertilizer, buckets, and watering cans.
Watering Requirements
Thyme requires very little attention - water only in very dry conditions and feed sparingly.
Nutrients Required
Good mulch with organic matter applied in October will help protect the plants from severe frost and will also provide most of their feeding needs. If organic matter is not available, a handful of bone meal per plant in May and July will meet their needs.
Seasons
Seeds should be sown in March in normal potting compost. Because the seeds are so fine, cover them only very lightly with the compost. Place them in a warm place, 16 C (60 F), and the seedlings will emerge in a week or so. When the plants are about 10 cm (4 inches) high and the danger of all frost has passed, they can be moved outside to their final position (harden them off first). They have a spread of about 30 cm (12 inches) and should be spaced at this distance apart. Harvest only very, very lightly (if at all) in the first year.
Expectations/Results
Harvest thyme on a clear day after the dew has dried on the leaves but before the sun’s heat can dissipate the essential oils that give the herb its flavor and aroma. Frozen thyme tastes much better than the dried form, but it appears limp and unattractive. Use it in stews, casseroles, and other dishes as taste matters more than appearance.