thyme seeds
One thing that always get's us thinking of summer is flowers on thyme. They look great, and top it every time in the kitchen for us. Enjoy fragrant summer evenings and morning displays of bumblebee and butterfly visitors.
BOTANICAL NAME
Thymus vulgaris
NICKNAME
Common Thyme, Garden Thyme and Pot-Herb Thyme
QUANTITY
200 seeds
PLANT SIZE
Height: 50cm
Width: 50cm
In containers will be smaller
CONTAINER SIZE
15cm width
SOWING
Indoor: Anytime
Outdoor: Mar-Jun
GROW TIME
Germination: 14-28 days
Matures: 80-90 days
SPROUT SECRETS
Thyme can be a tricky character to sprout. Scatter the seeds on the surface of your soil in a container. Lightly cover with soil. Give it a good soak and cover with a clear bag or glass jar and then place it in a warm location. Once you have seedlings 5cm high, you can remove the clear top and keep growing them in containers or move on to bigger pots.
SPACING
Sow: 5cm apart
Plant: 22cm apart
WHAT THEY LOVE
Light: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Soil: Moist but well drained
Water: Every few days
Food: Weekly, between March until May
COMPANION PLANTS
Cabbage, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Potatoes, Blueberries, Shallots and Roses.
OUR TIPS
If growing for outside, sow in early spring in small pots, scatter a few seeds over the surface. Cover with a fine layer of compost and water gently. When the seeds are large enough prick out into individual pots.
Plants are fairly drought tolerant and don't like too much water. Place light layer of grit or gravel around plants in the ground to protect the foliage from wet soil.
remove fallen leaves that settle on thyme plants in autumn to prevent rotting.
Protect them in winter by placing in a sheltered spot.
BRINGS TO YOUR GARDEN
Make the bees happy
Easy to grow
Happy in containers
Grow on your windowsill
Tasty foliage
HARVESTING
As they are evergreen, thyme can be picked all year round but taste best when fresh in growing season. Use scissors to snip off sprigs. You can use fresh or dry to use later.
MAKES FOR GREAT..
A taste of the mediterranean, try marinating feta cheese with olive oil, thyme, garlic and olives. Add it to your pesto with rosemary.
Also can be used to soothe a sore throat, a natural shampoo and skin cleanser.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Thyme essential oil, obtained from its leaves is often used as a natural cough remedy. Packed with vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin A. If you feel a cold coming on, thyme can hep get you back on your feet!