One of the delights of gardening is growing herbs. They are simple to grow and add tons of flavor to your recipes. Growing thyme is easy. The plant is a perennial that comes back year after year.
It is a fragrant herb that I use in cooking all the time.
There are quite a few herbs that are perennials here in my zone 7b garden. Thankfully, thyme is one of them.
It does die back in the winter but comes back again every spring, bigger and better than ever. It can be frozen in fall to extend the flavor and use of it over the winter.
Tips for Growing Thyme
Growing most herbs is very easy. Time is a perfect one for those who don’t have much gardening experience. I use thyme to cook almost daily.
It is fragrant and does not even need chopping. Just strip the tiny leaves off and you are good to go.
Growing thyme is easy. Just follow these steps:
Sunlight needs for thyme
Thyme loves sun and grows best in full sun. It even gets pretty flowers if the sun is bright enough.
Soil requirements
Well drained soil is also a bust. Add organic matter or compost to your soil if it is heavy and your thyme will thank you for it.
Will thyme grow in containers?
You can use thyme in planters, or as a ground cover around paving stones or near a wall. (along a walkway is great…your footsteps will release the aroma as you walk on it!)
I have an entire herb garden growing on my deck and thyme is very robust each year.
Pruning thyme
Thyme needs little care except for a regular light pruning each year after the first year of growth. Be sure to do this pruning or the plant will get dry and brittle.
Mature size and flowers
Thyme will flower. When it does, but off the top half of the plant and hang it up to dry in a shady place.
You can also harvest small pieces of thyme all summer long.
Thyme usually grows to a height of about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters).
It takes quite a while for it to fill a medium sized patio container.
Using thyme in recipes
Thyme is useful in so many ways. It is a staple of Italian cooking. It is a wonderful addition to pasta and pizza sauces, stews, and soups, and is especially good with poultry, fish, and eggs.
That is all there is to it. Is it time to plant your thyme?
Want to mark your herb plants so you know what they are? See my herb planter marker wooden spoon tutorial.