Heirloom
English Thyme
(Thymus vulgaris)
Easy to grow heirloom garden staple with mounds of cascading tiny aromatic leaves. A basic herb for all Mediterranean cuisines with a wide range of uses in the kitchen. Perennial.
BEST TO PLANT INDOORS
Sow thyme in early spring in a container of seed starting mix. Cover seeds very lightly and keep evenly moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge in 14 to 21 days. Provide a good light source. Transplant when seedlings are about 2 inches tall after gradually acclimating to outdoor conditions.
TO START IN THE GARDEN
Plant thyme after soil has warmed up in spring in a finely textured seed bed with good drainage in full sun. Sow very thinly, cover seed lightly and be careful to keep the seed bed evenly moist and well weeded while seedlings are young.
THIN OR TRANSPLANT
Space clusters of 3 seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart when large enough to handle.
GROWING NOTES
Given a sunny location with good drainage, easy-growing thyme plants are reliable productive and long-lived garden perennials. Little lilac flowers bloom in midsummer; cut back foliage halfway when the blossoms fade to keep plants looking fresh. Cut leafy thyme sprigs as needed once plants are well established.
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. - June
|
Full sun
|
1/8 inch
|
Very thinly
|
14 – 21 days
|
8 – 12 inches
|
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. - June
|
Full sun
|
1/8 inch
|
Very thinly
|
14 – 21 days
|
8 – 12 inches
|
Plant In
Feb. - June
|
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Planting Depth
1/8 inch
|
Space Seeds
Very thinly
|
Days To Germinate
14 – 21 days
|
Mature Height
8 – 12 inches
|