Can you just scatter creeping thyme seeds?
Growing Creeping Thyme From Seed Scatter over a seed-starting mix, lightly pressing into the surface as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep the mix consistently moist and provide plenty of light. Germination may take 2-3 weeks, so be patient. Herbs with the same growing requirements, such as oregano, lavender and sage, however, are excellent companions to thyme. However, plants that have dissimilar growing requirements are not a good idea to plant together. Don’t grow thyme near plants that require lots of water and consistently moist soil.Creeping thyme is a perennial, meaning it will come back on its own every year. How quickly do creeping thyme plants spread? Creeping thyme takes time to establish, but once it does, it will spread quickly. This plant can spread between 12-18 inches wide by the third year.Creeping Pink thyme, with almost an inch of stem between its sets of leaves, grows much more quickly than say a Pink Chintz Thyme or a Woolly Thyme whose leaves are very close together. The increased stem segment also provides a greater rooting zone for the thyme allowing it to spread faster.However, plants that have dissimilar growing requirements are not a good idea to plant together. Don’t grow thyme near plants that require lots of water and consistently moist soil. Again, some herbs like mint, cilantro, basil and chives fall into this category because they require more water, more frequently.Sprinkling seed of creeping thyme on the ground is rarely successful, although raising plants from seed in pots or trays under cover is a good way to produce a large quantity of plants.
What does creeping thyme look like in winter?
What Does Creeping Thyme Look Like in Winter? In mild climates, Creeping Thyme often remains evergreen, with its foliage staying low and close to the ground. In colder regions, it may turn brown or go dormant, but will regrow from the roots in spring. Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year.Creeping thyme is relatively disease-resistant, but root rot can be a common issue. Root rot can occur when overwatered or planted in poorly drained areas, says Abdi.What Does Creeping Thyme Look Like in Winter? In mild climates, Creeping Thyme often remains evergreen, with its foliage staying low and close to the ground. In colder regions, it may turn brown or go dormant, but will regrow from the roots in spring.One of the biggest benefits of creeping thyme is how low-maintenance it is. In addition to being drought-resistant, the ground cover doesn’t require mowing and only needs light pruning to maintain its aesthetic, says Abdi.The lifespan of thyme plants averages about 5-6 years. If you notice the plants are beginning to deteriorate, prune the existing plants back hard to rejuvenate them. Monitor for pests and diseases.
What does creeping thyme deter?
Red creeping thyme is about 1000x better than growing a grass lawn. It barely needs water, requires no mowing, repels mosquitoes, feeds pollinators, and is edible too. Most thyme plants are perennial in moderate climates. While some thyme species are upright and shrub-like, creeping types are low-growing with a vine-like habit and can be a grass alternative that doesn’t require mowing (it will also choke out weeds).Creeping thyme has a spicy fragrance making it an excellent choice for s sensory garden and may be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between pavers. Although it is a member of the thyme family, it is rarely used as a culinary herb. It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer and rabbit resistant.Aesthetic and Practical Advantages of Red Creeping Thyme This plant helps prevent soil erosion, maintains ground stability, and reduces the need for regular watering. Its thick growth also acts as a natural weed suppressant, which helps keep landscapes tidy without the need for chemical herbicides.Thyme, including red creeping thyme possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.
What month do you plant creeping thyme?
creeping thyme seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here. Direct sow seeds outdoors when temperatures are consistently in the high 60s or above. Division of established plantings can be done in march and april. Overwintering: in temperate climates, creeping thyme will usually remain evergreen throughout the winter. In regions where winters are cold, plants may lose their foliage, but it will quickly grow back the following spring.In late fall, after the first frost, select one-third of the oldest and woodiest stems on your thyme plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these stems back by half. Repeat the process the next year until your thyme plant has returned to growing younger, more tender stems all over the plant.Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year.Planting. Location: red creeping thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained areas such as rock gardens, paths, slopes, or gravel beds. Choose a site with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Soil: prefers sandy or rocky soils with a neutral to alkaline ph (6.
Will creeping thyme choke out grass?
The thicker the upper layer, the faster your thyme will anchor in. This also helps kill any remaining grass or weeds underneath. Cons of a Creeping Thyme Lawn Keep in mind that creeping thyme draws pollinators, so plant with caution if you’re allergic to bees as the flowers attract bees. The cost of installing creeping thyme using plugs can be high, and even then you will have to wait some months for the plants to fill in enough to form a lawn.Creeping thyme is a viable evergreen alternative grass, offering numerous benefits. Creeping thyme lawns are drought-resistant and require less watering than traditional grass lawns. Creeping thyme lawns don’t require mowing, but bushy types may be mowed once a year.Creeping thyme can spread aggressively, particularly in favorable growing conditions, so gardeners should monitor its growth to ensure it does not encroach on surrounding plants.Creeping thyme is a woody perennial ground cover. LIMITATIONS: Creeping thyme offers some moderate weed suppression. But it’s growth is rather loose and weed seedlings may still make their way through it. Sometimes the center of the plant can get quite woody and empty in appearance.In temperate climates, creeping thyme will usually remain evergreen throughout the winter. In regions where winters are cold, plants may lose their foliage, but it will quickly grow back the following spring.