Growing and Caring For a Thyme Garden Herb

If you have considered growing thyme and or have been curious about the many ways it can be used then this article will be of benefit to you. Thyme garden herb is native to the Mediterranean but is cultivated all over the world. This plant is very useful in many ways and is commonly known for its culinary value. But, let us not overlook the fact that this herb too has an enormous amount of medicinal uses.

Growing and caring for thyme is not a difficult task and can be cultivated either in a container or in the ground. If you are growing thyme specifically for culinary purposes I would recommend you grow this herb in a container for easy access and ongoing harvesting.

There are bout three hundred and fifty species of thyme. Some of the most common are garden or common thyme and golden thyme which are both used primarily for cooking, flavouring and seasoning foods. Thyme too is used to treat ailments such as coughs, menstrual cramps, aches, pains, parasites, fungus, bronchial ailments and anaemia. The oil of the various species of thyme releases their own unique aroma and is used as an aromatherapy to balance and calm ones irritable mood.

Thyme loves well drained soil and full sun as it performs and thrives at its best when these elements are present. So, if in fact you are growing this herb plant indoors you will want to ensure that it is placed in a good location receiving at least four to six hours of good sunlight per day. In the same respect, if you are growing this herb outside you too want to ensure that the location is optimal allowing it to receive the same amount of sunlight each day so that it can thrive as it should.

This herb is part of the mint family and grows plentiful. So, if you are in the mood to share you may be excited to know that this herb can be propagate by root divisions, cuttings and seeds. Should you decide to grow thyme from seeds it will take about one year to mature. When growing from seeds you should sow in March and cover them very lightly with compost. However, most gardeners would opt to cultivate from root divisions as it is a much speedier process. When choosing this method you will want to divide the roots in April. To do this, you would remove as much of the soil as possible from around the roots of the plant and separate it in about three pieces and replant; or, as stated earlier just give some of your separations to friends or family so that they too can enjoy the wonderful benefits of this plant.

One of the great benefits of thyme is that it is not high maintenance and requires very little to flourish. Just as long as your plant receives the essentials such as the appropriate amount food, sunlight, water and some tender love and care you are on your way to receiving the full benefits of one of the most powerful and versatile herbs on earth.

Another benefit of growing thyme is that you really do not have to worry about pest or disease; as stated before it is a very low maintenance herb plant. However, it is not totally immune and can sometimes get invaded but it is very rare that this will occur. So, to avoid any possible headaches pay attention to the care tags of this herb and be sure to not over or under water your plant, provide it with the appropriate sunlight, soil and TLC.

After a few years this herb will produce fewer and fewer leaves and become woody so harvest often and enjoy your thyme garden herb as much as humanly possible.