{"product_id":"common-thyme","title":"Common Thyme","description":"\u003cp class=\"sc-subtitle\"\u003eOpen-Pollinated · 75–90 days from direct seeding\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-pill\"\u003eperennial in most climates · timing varies by zone\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-grows-label\"\u003eGrows well in\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eRaised Bed ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eIn-Ground ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eContainer\/Pot ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eGrow Bag ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMeet This Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon Thyme is one of those herbs that rewards you for paying less attention to it. It's a perennial that comes back every year, handles drought beautifully, and doesn't ask for much beyond good drainage and sunlight. The small aromatic leaves have a warm, earthy flavor that works in just about everything savory. The tiny flowers that appear in summer are edible too and attract beneficial insects by the dozen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant it once and pretty much just leave it alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it tastes like:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm, earthy, and slightly woodsy with a subtle floral edge from the flowers. It's one of those flavors that's hard to place when it's in a dish but immediately missed when it's not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Grow It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\" style=\"margin-top: 24px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eSun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eFull sun. At least 6–8 hours daily. Thyme gets leggy and loses its flavor and fragrance in shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eWater\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eWater deeply but infrequently. Thyme is drought tolerant and hates wet feet. Well-drained soil is non-negotiable. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill it.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eSowing Details\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"sc-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDepth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e⅛–¼ inch. Seeds are very small. Scatter on top and cover with just a thin layer.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eSpacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e9–12 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e12–18 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eGermination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e14–28 days. Slow and uneven. Don't give up on it.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e75–90 days from direct seeding\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e❄️ Cool Climates · Zones 3–6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003eStart indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost. Transplant out after danger of hard frost has passed once soil temps hit at least 70°F. Thyme is cold tolerant once established but young transplants need settled warm conditions to get going.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn zones 3–4 mulch heavily going into winter to protect the roots. Thyme may die back hard in the coldest winters but typically returns from the roots in spring.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e☀️ Warm Climates · Zones 7–11\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003eSpring and fall are both good planting windows. Direct sowing is more practical here. The soil stays warm enough to speed up germination without as much fuss. In zones 8–9 thyme can essentially be harvested year round.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn zones 10–11 thyme grows as a short-lived perennial or annual. The heat and humidity of summer can shorten its lifespan, so plan to replace plants every 2–3 years rather than 3–4.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrow Friend Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eDrainage is everything\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eThyme will tolerate poor soil, heat, drought, and neglect but it will not tolerate wet roots. If your soil is heavy or compacted, plant thyme in a raised bed or container where drainage is easy to control. More thyme plants die from overwatering than from anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eIt comes back every year\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eIn zones 3–9 thyme is a perennial. Once it's established you don't need to replant it. Cut it back in spring, give it some sun, and it will keep growing year after year. In zones 3–4 mulch heavily going into winter to protect the roots. In zones 10–11 the heat and humidity can shorten its lifespan, so plan to replace plants every 2–3 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eCut it back in spring to prevent woodiness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eThyme stems get woody over time and woody stems don't produce flavorful leaves. Every spring cut the plant back by about a third to encourage fresh new growth from the base. This keeps the plant compact, productive, and less likely to get scraggly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eHarvest before the flowers open for peak flavor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eThe essential oils that give thyme its flavor are most concentrated just before the plant blooms. If you want the best tasting thyme cut it in the morning just as flower buds are forming. Once it's in full flower the leaves are still good but slightly milder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eReplace plants every 3–4 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eEven with good care thyme eventually gets too woody and the flavor declines. Plan to replace your plants every 3–4 years. By then you'll know exactly where it grows best in your garden and the new plants will establish quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-companions\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-companion-label\"\u003eCompanion plants\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eCabbage\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eTomatoes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eEggplant\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eStrawberries\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eBroccoli\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eBrussels Sprouts\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvest \u0026amp; What to Do With It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen it's ready\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThyme is ready for its first light harvest about 75–90 days from seed once the plant is established and growing strongly. In subsequent years you can start harvesting much earlier. The best time to harvest is just before the plant flowers when flavor is at its peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to harvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnip stems from the tips leaving at least 5 inches of growth on the plant. Don't cut back into the woody base or it won't regrow well. Strip the leaves from the stems by running your fingers down the stem against the direction of growth. During the first year harvest lightly to let the plant establish. In following years cut back more generously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single established plant gives you more thyme than most home cooks can use through the season. One or two plants is genuinely enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShort-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWrap loosely in a damp paper towel and refrigerate. Keeps 1–2 weeks. Best used fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLong-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-yes\"\u003e✅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eDrying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Thyme dries exceptionally well. Tie small bundles and hang upside down in a dark well-ventilated spot for 1–2 weeks until completely dry. Strip leaves from stems and store in an airtight jar. Keeps 12 months with good flavor retention.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-yes\"\u003e✅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eFreezing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Strip leaves from stems, freeze flat on a tray, then bag. Keeps up to 6 months. Good for cooked dishes.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003ePressure canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Not appropriate.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eWater bath canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Not appropriate.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to cook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdded to soups, stews, and braises where it holds up to long cooking better than most herbs. Rubbed onto chicken, lamb, and pork before roasting. Stirred into compound butter. Layered into focaccia dough. Tucked into a bouquet garni. It's not flashy but every dish it touches is better for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed Storage \u0026amp; Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"sc-seed-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVariety\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Thyme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpen-Pollinated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~200 seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:16px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStoring unused seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Viable about 2–4 years when stored properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thyme is insect-pollinated and will cross with other thyme varieties nearby. Grow only one variety at a time for reliable purity, or isolate by several hundred feet if you're growing more than one. Let a few stems go to flower and set seed fully. Once the seed heads are dry and brown on the plant, cut them, bring inside to finish drying, then shake the seeds out. The seeds are very small so work over a piece of paper or a tray. Store in a cool, dark place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Sow Chaotic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43815626178638,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/3630\/6254\/files\/27.png?v=1786476777","url":"https:\/\/sowchaotic.com\/products\/common-thyme","provider":"Sow Chaotic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}