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Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Loves poor soil and neglect — perfect for a sunny gravel path.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Rarely — hates wet feet
Soil
Poor, gritty, well-drained, pH 6.0–8.0
Spacing
30 cm apart
Days to harvest
90 days
Hardiness
Zones 5–9
Seasonal Calendar
S
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Give it grit
Add sand or grit to the planting hole. Rich, wet soil kills thyme.
- 2
Trim after flowering
Shear back by a third once flowers fade to keep plants compact and stop them getting woody.
- 3
Harvest freely
Snip stems anytime — flavor peaks just before flowering.
Common problems
Woody, sparse plants
Trim yearly and replace every 4 years — thyme is short-lived.
Rotting
Poor drainage. Raise the bed or grow in a terracotta pot.
Good neighbors
CabbageStrawberryRose
Field tips
- “Bees adore the flowers — leave some to bloom.”
- “Dries beautifully — hang bunches upside down in a warm room.”