True Winter Thyme

True Thyme is a hardy perennial featuring small, fragrant leaves that release a delightful, earthy scent when crushed. This hardy perennial originating from the Mediterranean region is one of the easiest indoor herbs to cultivate and will grow back after harvest for decades. Thyme thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil, growing into a compact, bushy plant that’s perfect for containers, herb gardens, or even as a ground cover. Its subtle, savory taste is ideal for seasoning meats, soups, stews, and roasted vegetables, making it a go-to herb in many kitchens. Not only is thyme a great addition to your recipes, but it’s also highly valued for its medicinal properties, often used to support respiratory health and act as an antioxidant. Easy to grow and maintain, this hardy herb brings a burst of flavor and fragrance to your home garden, and it’s perfect for adding fresh, homegrown herbs to your meals all year round.

Also Known As: Common Thyme, Garden Thyme, English Thyme, German Winter Thyme, French Thyme, Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme, Mother Of Thyme, Thymus Vulgaris, Za'atar (in Middle Eastern cultures), Farigoule (in French).

Plant Name:	Thyme, Garden
Latin Name:	Thymus vulgaris
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Days to Harvest:	70
Plant Height:	4 - 8 Inches
Spread:	6 - 24 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	2-10
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2-3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Plant Thyme in the spring when the soil temperature is at least 60F, about 2-4 weeks after the last frost in spring.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 60F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is reliably above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 8 weeks before the first frost.

To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 1-2 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.



2-3 feet

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	1-2 feet
Between-Row Spacing:

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig to deeply to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Sage does not require frequent fertilization. If plants are smaller than expected, you may optionally apply a light dressing of a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Thyme can be harvested once the plant is established and has grown enough to produce abundant leaves, usually a few months after planting. The best time to harvest thyme is just before the plant begins to flower, as the leaves will be most flavorful then. To harvest, use sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip off sprigs, cutting just above a set of leaves to encourage new growth. You can harvest small amounts regularly throughout the growing season, taking care not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time to avoid stressing it. If you need to harvest larger quantities, consider cutting back the entire plant near the base, but leave enough foliage for the plant to recover. Thyme can be used fresh or dried; to dry it, hang the sprigs upside down in a cool, dry place, or use a dehydrator.