An herb that everyone certainly knows is thyme. Growing this plant is one of the easy ones, and there are hundreds of varieties of thyme that differ in many ways. Looking for a beautiful plant that will survive the cold winter? We suggest how to grow thyme!
Thyme – growing on the windowsill. Is it sometimes problematic?
One of the least demanding herbs is thyme. Cultivation and care are easy, and the plant remains resistant to drought. Thyme is best sown in late March and April, and at the end of May put out on the balcony or window. The plant likes sunny places and alkaline soils with high permeability. It grows naturally in countries known for higher temperatures, such as Spain, Turkey or France and Italy.
How to take care of thyme?
To keep thyme looking beautiful on the kitchen windowsill for a long time, you need to remember a few important rules. Following them will keep the herbs in ideal condition, bringing us a harvest for a long time.
Position
Thyme likes warm, sunny places without much wind. It is a annual plant, so the aromatic leaves can be harvested during any season. The plant will not develop properly in low temperatures. The best soil for thyme will be permeable and with a slightly acidic pH.
Watering
It is worth remembering to water thyme regularly, but be careful not to overwater it. Too wet soil can cause the plant to rot. Thyme, due to its adaptation to high temperatures, is able to withstand several days with dry soil, so if you are unable to water the plant for several days, do not worry – you will easily recover it!
Fertilization
Similar to other herbs, thyme does not need to be fertilized. However, if you want to ensure that your plant’s soil has all the nutrients it needs, you can use biohumus. It is a natural fertilizer for fertilizing soil used when growing potted plants.
Related: Growing herbs on the balcony
Propagation
Sowing time for thyme falls in late March and early April. The seeds are best sown at a depth of 0.5 cm. Remember to protect the germinating plant from frost. When watering the seeds, do not flood them with a large stream of water – it will be best if you spray the sprouts from a sufficient distance. This way you will not destroy a small bed. Seeds in good conditions begin to germinate after only about twelve days.
Diseases and parasites
Like any other plant, thyme is also prone to diseases – but it doesn’t succumb to them too easily. If it does get sick, it’s mainly from flour worm which inhibits the plant’s growth due to the development of gray mold causing the leaves to die. Thymes can also be attacked by insects, such as scorpionflies and aphids, among others.The former suck juices from the leaves (you can tell by the bright spots), while aphids cause wilt and deformation of young shoots. In addition, these pests create substances that hinder the plant’s photosynthesis process.
How to fight these problems? Powdery mildew is quite difficult to eradicate and often getting rid of it involves the use of chemicals which prevents subsequent consumption of the herb. Scorpions can be gotten rid of by planting the plant into fresh, clean soil. Remember to rinse the root ball well before repotting.
Aphids, on the other hand, will get rid of by creating a solution of 20 g of gray soap and a liter of warm water. Protect the ground of the plant with foil and decently spray the leaves with the specific – pay attention to the underside of the leaves. After everything is done, wash the specific from the herb. Repeat the procedure daily for about a week.
Varieties of thyme
Varieties of thyme are really many. It is said that there are over 100 of them all over the world! Among them, you can distinguish, for example, early mature gardenmature garden, sandy or ordinary. The most popular are two varieties, which we will take a closer look at.
Common thyme
Common thyme is otherwise called macaranda. It reaches an average 30 cm, has a distinctive scent and small leaves. In the wild, it is found in sites scattered around the Mediterranean. The herb has numerous branches and is covered with a fine mesquite. It is worth knowing that dried thyme is much more aromatic than fresh. During flowering, the flowers of common thyme remain fine and pinkish purple. The plant begins flowering in late May and ends in late June.
Lemon thyme
Lemon thyme emits a strong fragrance with a lemony note. The flowers of lemon thyme are myrtose, so they attract many bees and stand out for their interesting greenish yellow color. At most, this variety reaches about 30 cm and is resistant to pests. Be careful not to overwater the plant – lemon thyme very much dislikes too wet soil.
Purpose of thyme in cooking and herbal medicine
Everyone knows herbs of Provence Thyme is one of the ingredients in this distinctive blend. The plant indeed is one of the very aromatic and will be ideal, for example, in dishes using fresh vegetables and olive oil.
Meat will also go perfectly with fatty meats. Its flavor adds a note of refreshment to hard-to-digest dishes, and sauces with the addition of this delicious herb will interest many a lover of sophisticated dishes. It will be excellent in Italian and French dishes, but there is no need to hold back with its use – it is worth experimenting!
Related: Common basil – everything you need to know about this excellent herb
In addition to its use in cooking, thyme is often used to treat ailments related to the digestive system. In herbal medicine, thyme has been known for centuries for its anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help with intestinal problems. Thyme infusion will work well for infections of the mouth and throat. It can also be used as an expectorant.
But before using thyme to treat minor ailments, it is recommended to consult a doctor. This is because, like other herbs, the popular thyme can also be highly allergenic. It is worth remembering, however, that not every ailment can be cured naturally.
Thyme is undoubtedly an interesting plant with many uses and varieties. It is not difficult to grow, and pests rarely attack it. Aromatic spice improves the taste of many dishes and its use in herbal medicine has helped more than one person. What variety of thyme is your favorite? Share it in the comments!
