THYME

  Organic Thyme  

             

Thyme, a drought-tolerant herb native to the Mediterranean, thrives in the hills of Greece and other regions such as Southern France, Italy, and Spain. Historically, it spread across Europe and was widely cultivated in England by the mid-16th century. Belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, thyme is botanically classified in the genus Thymus. Among its many varieties, the most recognized culinary type is Thymus vulgaris, commonly called English, Garden, or Common Thyme. 

This low-growing herb typically reaches 15 to 30 centimeters in height and spreads up to 45 centimeters wide. Mature plants produce tiny purple, pink, or white flowers in clusters, blooming among the grey-green, round to oval leaves along thin, branched, woody stems. The leaves are very small, only a few millimetres in diameter, and grow in opposite pairs at intervals on the stems.

Highly aromatic, thyme exudes an earthy fragrance with subtle mint and clove undertones. Its flavour is equally complex, offering a savoury, herbal profile with minty, grassy, and floral notes, making it a versatile and essential herb in culinary applications.

PLANTING & GROWING

Thyme is a versatile aromatic herb that can thrive in containers, making it an excellent choice for balcony gardens or sunny indoor spaces. To ensure successful growth, soak seeds for a few hours, preferably overnight, before planting. When starting seeds indoors, disinfect all pots, plastic trays, seed cells, and covers to prevent damping off.

To sow thyme seeds, scatter them on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays without covering, as the seeds require light to germinate. Cover the container with clear plastic or glass and place it in a spot with diffused light. Gradually allow air circulation once germination begins, which typically takes 15 to 30 days. 

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 7.5 cm (3 in) pots to grow on. Acclimatize the young plants to outdoor conditions over 10-15 days before planting them in well-drained soil in full sun after the last frost. During transplanting, pinch the tips of each stem to encourage bushy growth, spacing plants 30-45 cm (12-18 in) apart. Thyme grows into compact, bushy plants about 30 cm tall. Harvest lightly during the first year to allow plants to establish themselves fully. Thyme is highly resilient and generally pest- and disease-free. 

Thyme pairs well with companion plants like cabbage, tomato, potato, eggplant, strawberry, blueberry, rosemary, oregano, lavender, and sage. However, avoid planting it near cilantro, mint, and fennel, as they are poor companions.