What month do you plant creeping thyme?
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. Fall plantings should be avoided to protect against freeze damage. Transplant creeping thyme in spring, shortly after your last frost date. While it enjoys warm, sunny weather, it will establish quicker in the cooler spring temps. If you start thyme seeds indoors, do so 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date.Creeping thyme can be direct sown, but I would highly recommend starting it indoors instead. The seeds (and seedlings) are teeny tiny and they and their equally tiny root systems need to be kept moist for weeks as they germinate and as the seedlings to become established.Creeping Thyme is a perennial herb which will over-winter well in zones 4-9. Direct sow seeds outdoors in late spring when temperatures are consistently in the high 60’s or above.Plant 2-3 seeds deep per cell or about 5-6 seeds per square inch as a light seeding, eventually thinning out the strongest starts once true leaves emerge. Like many perennial herbs, thyme is known to be fairly delicate as a seedling, germinating anywhere from 14-28 days.
How fast does purple creeping thyme grow?
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 a perennial, meaning it will come back on its own every year. How quickly do creeping thyme plants spread?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 can be planted in early spring or fall, depending on where you live. In areas with mild winter conditions, creeping thyme can be planted in the fall, as long as temperatures remain above freezing. In areas with more severe winters, wait until spring to plant creeping thyme.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.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.
Will creeping thyme choke out weeds?
Whether it’s Wooly, Red, or Lemon, thyme (Thymus) is an amazing ground cover for suppressing weeds. It grows densely, like a thick mat, crowding out unwanted weeds as it spreads. It’s beautiful, too! The foliage comes in a variety of textures and colors, plus, it’s fragrant to the touch. Planting in the ground – choose a warm, sunny planting location in light, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy or stays quite damp, especially in winter, then plant thyme in a container or raised bed instead, where drainage will be better.Creeping Thyme is not considered invasive. It spreads by stems rooting at contact points with the soil, but this spread is manageable. While it can fill in areas quickly, it typically stays within a defined area of 60-80 cm wide. Moreover, it doesn’t aggressively spread via seeds or runners.Thyme is a hardy perennial herb that can be planted in August for a fall harvest and beyond. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Sow thyme seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly cover them, or plant thyme transplants 12 inches apart.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.Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained neutral to alkaline soil, making it ideal for rock gardens, pathways, or as ground cover.
Which creeping thyme spreads fastest?
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. Thyme grows very slowly from seed and after planting, germination can take up to 28 days. Because of this, it is usually grown from divisions or cuttings. If planting from seed, begin thyme indoors and scatter the seeds on top of the soil and do not cover them or only cover them lightly.Transplant creeping thyme in spring, shortly after your last frost date. While it enjoys warm, sunny weather, it will establish quicker in the cooler spring temps. If you start thyme seeds indoors, do so 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date.Use a sharp spade to separate a section of the plant that has both leaves and roots, then plant somewhere else in your own garden or share with friends and neighbors. It’s best to divide creeping thyme during the fall or winter (depending on where you are), when the plant will be less susceptible to transplant stress.Garden thyme thrives with light fertilization, avoiding over-fertilization. Use a balanced 10-10-10 NPK ratio fertilizer for comprehensive nutrient support. Apply fertilizer during the early spring to kickstart the growing season.
Is it hard to start creeping thyme from seed?
Thyme has a reputation for being difficult to start from seed, largely because of the tiny size of the seeds and poor germination rates of some varieties. However, in my experience, creeping thyme is much easier to grow from seed than some other woody herbs like rosemary or sage. Attracts / Repels: Thyme deters cabbage looper, cabbage maggot, cabbageworm, corn earworm, tomato hornworm, and whiteflies. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract butterflies and bees. Companions: Thyme is a good companion to most vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes.Chives, cilantro, and basil are not ideal companion plants for thyme because they have different growing requirements and may compete for the same nutrients in the soil.Thyme repels everything from aphids to deer, while also attracting pollinators. I love to plant thyme near plants that tend to pull aphids toward them, like leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumber, squash, and zucchini. When thyme flowers, this herb will be swarming with very happy bees.Thyme is another herb to plant with rosemary in your garden as a companion plant. Not only do these two herbs go together in your meals, but they also go together to protect your garden with their attributes. Rosemary repels insects from feasting on your plants while thyme acts as a cabbage worm deterrent.
What should you not plant next to thyme?
Although a variety of herbs (and even flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums) can often be planted together, certain kinds like parsley, cilantro, tarragon, basil and chives prefer a more moist soil, and should not be planted directly with thyme. Chives, cilantro, and basil are not ideal companion plants for thyme because they have different growing requirements and may compete for the same nutrients in the soil.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).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.Thyme. Native to the Mediterranean, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a small, perennial shrub with tiny gray-green leaves. Like most herbs, thyme does best in full sun, and it tolerates drought well. It can be planted by seed in either late fall or early spring.