How to Grow Thyme — Step-by-Step Guide to Growing the Best Thyme

Growing herbs in your garden is a great way to enhance the flavor of your meals and create a delightful ambiance. One of the most popular herbs in the garden is to grow thyme, which can add a delicious taste to casseroles, stews, and vegetable dishes. It also pairs well with garlic, lemon, and basil in various recipes, and can even be brewed into a refreshing herbal tea. 

Thyme belongs to the mint family, and with over 300 different species available, there are many options to choose from. To ensure that you get the most flavor and aroma out of your thyme, it’s best to grow thyme in sunnier locations of your garden where the oils that give it its distinctive taste and fragrance can develop properly.

grow thyme

How to Grow Thyme

What You Need

Plant flats

Seed stater soil

Thyme seeds

Shovel

Compost

Step 1

Fill your plant flat with seed starter soil in late winter. Sprinkle the thyme seeds in a thin layer over the soil and then cover them by sprinkling soil over the top.

Step 2

Place your flat in a sunny window. Give them enough water each morning to dampen the soil. Let the soil dry between each watering. Begin transplanting your thyme seedlings after the danger of frost has passed.

Step 3

Select an area where your plants will get at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day and with soil that has good drainage.

Step 4

Loosen the soil with a shovel to a depth of 12 inches. Mix 4 inches of compost into the soil.

Step 5

Separate out each of your seedlings from the flat. Dig a hole in the soil big enough for the roots, place the seedling in the hole and press the soil around the roots and the base of the plant. Space each planting 10 inches apart.

Step 6

Moisten the soil with water after transplanting your thyme. Give your thyme 4 inches of water whenever the soil is dry during drought periods; otherwise, normal rainfall is sufficient for your plants. Water your plants during the morning hours.

Step 7

Harvest your thyme as needed by cutting 2 to 3 inches from the stem tips. Cut the plants back to 2 inches from the ground once during the midsummer and again before winter.

Keywords: how to grow thyme, grow thyme, steps to grow thyme, tips to grow thyme, grow thyme in your garden, grow thyme in your herb garden

Resources

Colorado State University; Plant Talk: Thyme

Iowa State University; Growing and Using Thyme

Arizona Cooperative Extension College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Growing Herbs

Colorado State University; Growing, Preserving and Using Herbs

University of Missouri; Growing Herbs at Home

Check out Little Tree Food Forest for articles on food forests and homesteading.

Check out StoryScapes for articles on creative writing.