HerbsLamiaceae

Thyme.

Warm seasonDeer-resistantPollinator magnet
At a glance

The spec sheet.

Indoor start
Late winter
Direct sow / out
May
Germ
14–21 days
Days to harvest
Perennial once established
Spacing
12"
Depth
⅛" (tiny seeds)
Square-foot
4 per square
Qty target
2–3 plants for cooking + tea.

Plant

Buy plants or start indoors. Well-drained soil, full sun. Hardy in Zone 6b. English thyme is the culinary standard.

Care

Water sparingly — thyme hates rich, wet soil. Trim regularly. Cut back after flowering.

Harvest

Snip sprigs year-round. Strong flavor just before flowering.

Preserve

Dried; also frozen in oil ice cubes.

Companion planting

What thyme likes, and doesn’t.

Good neighbors

Avoid nearby