Stop pinching the foliage one month before frost in order for the plants to properly harden off. Pinch off flowers if growing mostly for the leaves. Pinch back young plants to promote bushiness. Don’t grow these on highly fertile soils or the flavor will be reduced. Grow them in raised beds if you have heavy clay soil. They don’t tolerate wet soils and will rot easily. Plant thyme and oregano transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in well drained, gravely, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. It’s easier to purchase thyme and oregano plants than to start the seeds indoors. Thyme and oregano also grow well in containers. Grow thyme under open canopy trees, such as crape myrtle, as a ground cover. Plant thyme along a walkway with other low growing creeping flowers such as alyssum. Plant thyme and oregano in a rock garden with other creeping herbs such as prostrate rosemary. ‘Golden’ oregano has golden colored leaves and a pink flower. Most oregano plants have silver-green leaves and white flowers. The most flavorful and common type of oregano to grow is Greek oregano ( Oreganum vulgare). ‘German Winter ‘ thyme is the most cold tolerant citriodorus) has golden leaves and a bright lemony fragrance. Common thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) is most commonly used for cooking. Most thyme has silver-green small leaves and pink or white flowers. Creeping thyme, in particular, can take some foot traffic and still thrive. Plant them along walkways, between stepping stones in a path, along the edge of a flower border, in rock gardens, or in containers where the fragrance can be appreciated. Most thyme and oregano varieties are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. They are both beautiful plants with white or pink flowers Both herbs compliments fish, meat, cheese and vegetables featuring beans and squash well. Thyme leaves have fragrances such as lemon, orange and nutmeg depending on the selection. Oregano offers that robust flavor we associate with pasta sauces. While rosemary and basil get lots of press, don’t forget the low growing, perennial herbs, such as thyme and oregano. Here are more details on growing, harvesting, and using thyme.When it comes to flavoring recipes, Mediterranean herbs are some of the most popular. I love this 12-herb set of non-GMO seeds, which includes thyme, or try an heirloom variety. Plus, you can be sure your plants were grown without chemicals. However, if you’re short on cash and don’t want to buy seedlings, growing from seed is easy. Ready to get growing?Īs a perennial herb, starting it from seed is a slow practice. The roots have a deep, fibrous growth habit that is perfect for growing on erosion-prone slopes. Imagine my surprise when I dug it up and discovered its 2-foot-deep roots (see picture above)! I decided to move a one-year-old plant to a different part of the garden. Recently, I discovered how this herb can reduce erosion quite by accident! Reducing soil erosion is an important goal in our gardens and landscapes, since we export 3 tons of topsoil per acre per year in America alone. Mmmm.įor something different, try making calendula and thyme shortbread cookies or black cherry preserves with thyme. It is popularly used in a dried poultry herb blend or in herbes de provence seasoning blend. This mediterranean herb can be used both fresh and dried in the kitchen. Would you like to grow food in your front yard without sacrificing curb appeal? Check out my mini guide, The Permaculture Inspired Edible Landscape. Or try making your own thyme infused oil (from Herbal Academy), which can be used as a culinary oil in the kitchen, directly on the skin as a moisturizer or disinfecting ointment, or in a salve.įor all of these reasons, it is one of my favorite herbs to grow in the medicine garden. You can buy the essential oil or look for natural products with the active ingredient thymol in it. It is also a strong antiseptic for cuts, scrapes, acne or sore muscles. Check out my sage and thyme elixir, which is easy to make at home. As an antiviral herb, it is especially helpful with common cold symptoms, coughs, and bronchial infections. Otherwise, cut the woody stems back by half each fall. Harvest it often to keep it naturally pruned. I gravitate toward plants that don’t need much attention, how about you? The following are some of the benefits you’ll get from growing it in your herb garden. Whether you like creeping thyme, common (English) thyme, lemon thyme or French thyme, you will find a variety to suit your needs. This mediterranean plant is in the mint family. But that’s not all! Check out these six reasons to grow thyme in your herb garden. Thyme is a valuable herb with culinary and medicinal benefits.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |