Thyme

[Nyboy]

How much soil, do thyme roots need? I would like to remove a paver in walkway to door and plant thyme. Pavers are set in some kind of rock dust, would only be able to add a couple of inches of soil.

 

[britesea]

Not sure how much root space thyme needs, but only a couple inches says to me that you'll have to be assiduous in watering and feeding

 

[PhilaGardener]

Thyme will grow in poor soil (and will be more fragrant for it!) so I'd just mix in some soil and give it a try.

 

[thistlebloom]

Thyme roots do not go deep, and they are fairly drought tolerant plants too. I think thyme in a walkway is a super idea NYboy!
I have a lot of thyme, there are so many varieties. See if you can find some Elfin thyme, it's super tiny, and grows like a flat mat.
Makes it interesting when you mix several varieties together.

 

[digitS']

It has been forever since I left thyme in the garden over winter but I was surprised by its hardiness, way back then.

More recently, I have had a little started from seed and potted. It goes in the unheated greenhouse for the winter. Most recently, I've got it back in the garden soil but plan to move it back into pots/greenhouse for winter. All part of "clearing the garden for winter" plan ...

Culinary thyme couldn't be much easier keeper even in pots. If I was to try some of the ornamental thyme, I would want it in/along a path on the east side of the house. Some of that path gets lots of sun until mid-afternoon but what about where it moves into the dry shade of the neighbor's locust tree? Do you think the plants would still be okay year around in that location??

Steve
shady character who maybe hijacking NyBoy's thread ...

 

[Nyboy]

Thistle I picked up woolie thyme, like the name elfin going to look for it. Steve you are always welcome to highjack any of my threads, I learn a lot from you!!

 

[seedcorn]

Have some bricks by garden that I could plant some there. What variety should I get for odor and cooking? Hardiness as well.

 

[digitS']

I have had both English and French thyme, both grown from seed.

I couldn't notice a difference in flavor. I'm just a peasant ... www.richters.com says that French is sweeter. I guess that is why I've got it this time.

These and "Wild Thyme" are sold as seed but Richter's sells LOTS of different ones as plants. Wild Thyme would probably climb over the fence to the neighbor's out of boredom.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Just got caught up to this thread. Steve, your thyme should be fine spreading into the shade of the locust tree. I haven't found thyme to be a real ambitious spreader here, but it may be the varieties I plant. Sure can't tell you much about the culinary uses or varieties. I'm embarrassed to admit I don't use a lot of fresh herbs beyond basil and...well, right now I can't think of any but I'm sure there have to be some others I use.

I have used the lemon thyme in my Thanksgiving turkey. Give me a gold star!

I have lemon, orange, lime, white, elfin, some I don't know the names of with pink blooms, reddish blooms. But no wooly. Or maybe I do in that one spot? Can't recall...

I have found that the wooly isn't so conducive to planting in stepping stones. It seems to spread out from a main stem, rather than creeping and re-rooting as it goes. I like it better in a rock garden, but that my own personal preference.