Overview

Gardeners with a culinary flair often enjoy growing an herb garden. Not only are many herb plants beautiful as they grow in the soil, but they also smell lovely as they grow. Thyme is a well-known herb both in the herb garden and in the kitchen. Many gardeners have success planting and growing thyme. The aromatic thyme harvest will be worth every effort you put forth.

Step 1

Prepare a sunny growing area in the spring when all threat of frost is over. Work the soil with the garden spade down to a depth of 4 to 5 inches. Add 2 inches of compost to the top of the soil and work this in with the garden spade. Use the rake to smooth the soil surface.

Step 2

Place the thyme seeds on the surface of the soil, spacing each seed approximately 2 inches apart. Cover the thyme seeds with 1/4-inch of soil and then water the newly planted seeds lightly.

Step 3

Keep the soil moist during the germination process. Thyme seeds take between 3 and 4 weeks to germinate.

Step 4

Thin the thyme seedlings so that the strongest thyme plants are 12 inches apart when the seedlings are approximately 4 inches tall.

Step 5

Provide water for the established thyme plants only if the weather turns exceptionally dry. Thyme is quite drought tolerant. Once you have thinned the thyme plants and they are thriving, consider them to be established.

Step 6

Harvest thyme sprigs by using pruners to trim stem sections with either leaves or flowers. Leave approximately 6 inches of stem to continue growing on the plant. Harvest at any time during the growing season.

Step 7

Remove as much thyme as you desire before the end of the growing season. Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch over the thyme plants to protect them from winter temperatures.

Step 8

Prune the thyme plant in the spring to remove any stems that suffered winter damage. Cut the stems back to the point where new growth is beginning.