How to Grow and Harvest Thyme

For a hardy herb that will come back year after year, add sage in your garden plot this year. This herb, native to southern Europe, has many varieties that are known for both their flavor and scent. Thyme is fairly easy to grow and requires very little upkeep.

Prepare your soil: Thyme likes a light, well-drained soil. It also prefers a heavy lime, so be sure to till plenty into your soil before planting. Thyme grows best in full sun and is great for rock gardens, so keep this in mind when planning the placement of this herb.

Planting: If you grow thyme from seed, sow it in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant it in drills a quarter inch deep and two feet apart. It is, however, easier to propagate thyme by division of an established plant, or by cuttings taken in early summer.

Care while growing: Thyme needs plenty of moisture and doesn't like competition, so be sure to water your plants well and keep the bed free of weeds. Cut the plants back a little before the winter, then cut the shrubs back quite a bit the following spring to encourage new growth. Some varieties, such as lemon thyme, should be protected during the cold winter months with straw or leaves.

Harvesting: Thyme should only be cut once during the first year, but from then on can be cut twice in each season. Flowers can be used along with the leaves, so cutting during the flowering season is useful. Cut off shoots about six inches long, rather than stems from the base of the plant. Use the herb fresh, or dry the shoots in a dehydrator and store in the freezer in freezer bags.

Uses: There are different types of thyme, and each has its own use in the culinary world. Common thyme has a sharp, bittersweet taste. Shoots, flowers and leaves are all used, either fresh or dried, to flavor soups, stews and meat dishes of all types. Lemon thyme is less hardy than common thyme, but is known for its wonderful scent and taste. Chop the leaves fine and sprinkle sparingly on salads or meat. Since lemon thyme gives honey a delicious flavor, it is great to grow if you have bees.

However you choose to utilize this useful herb, thyme will add great texture and a wonderful scent to your herb or rock garden. Taking up little space, thyme definitely gives you plenty of bang for your buck.