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Unlucky with Thyme
Can anyone help me - I am not a gardener by any means, but I have 3 gardens which I tend with loving care. I have a little herb garden which flourishes really well apart from Thyme. I have managed to kill at least 4 plants over the years and have just purchased another (still in its little pot)...... can anyone give me any tips on how to successfully grow some thyme, pleassssssssssssssssssse
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Hi, me too but I am potting it into its own pot this year, as opposed to putting it in the herb bed. like you I've had 3 or 4 that have died in the bed with all my other herbs. It needs to be left very dry, with a mix of soil and grit and basically left to its own devices ! Or so I've been led to believe By all my research. If this method doesn't work this year, I'm giving up lol. Will let you know how it's doing.
Drainage is the key with thyme (and most other herbs.) They are mediterranean plants which naturally grow on steep slopes, cliffs etc and hate wet and cold. Some of the thymes sold in supermarkets (particularly those with variageted leaves) often don't survive a normal british winter. Plant in 50/50 mix of grit and soil/compost and avoid planting in dips or hollows in the ground. They do better in pots and containers where you can ensure good drainage. English thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is more tolerant.
Ooooooh thanks Both
Bob, as I am a novice when you say grit and soil - can I buy it like that or do I have to make up my own?
Hi SimplyKj, you'll need to make up your own. Have a look for 'horticultural grit' in a garden centre - that's the ideal stuff. If you can't find any, you should be able to find Perlite which can be used instead, although that's usually only used in pots and containers.
Hi Bob - I think I'm going to go with your advice and put it in a pot, although I have managed to kill thyme before in both the ground and a pot
.... any views on the type of container or will anything do?
Bob, provides the best answer.
I have a problem with 'time'....but that's another story.
Anything really but terracotta is probably best as it dries out quicker so less chance of getting waterlogged in winter.