Thyme

[tamsin]

Any tips on growing thyme? I started off in a propagator then moved to pots, but the whole lot seemed to rot at the stems, even when I stopped watering, and has now all collapsed and died on me ???. In desperation at my arsenic fingers I've gone out and bought some, but what can I do differently next year to produce a plant?

[tamsin]

[undercarriage plan]

You poor thing! Never grown from seed, but thyme needs really good drainage or the water will sit at the neck of the plant and cause rotting, next time mix in some grit or sand.  Or they could have got damping off fungus. Good luck next time!! Lottie   ;D

[CotswoldLass]

What a shame! Have never grown Thyme from seed but the plant I got as a very tiny youngster a couple of years ago is still growing strong.

They don't need as much water as many herbs and I agree with Lottie  on the drainage. Mine's outside in a terracotta pot with shingle on the top. I did mix in a lot of free-draining agents when I potted it up and even in this heat it only gets a dampener sometimes.

Better luck next time, CLx

[Black Forest Dan]

I took the easy way out this year and bought a thyme seedling, which I planted 'sideways' into the two rows of rocks which form the edge of my knee-high vegetable bed. (I also have mint, Rosemary and sage growing between the stones)

The thyme seems to be very happy in this 'rock garden' location, growing well and flowering happily, and attracting bees. Ask me next year if it survived the winter....

[Rosa_Mundi]

Bad luck with the thyme - as everyone has said, they need good drainage and a dry, sunny spot. If you do get it going, put it  outside as soon as possible, and watch out for ants underneath it - they're very fond of the same kind of well-drained soil, and often move in.

[tamsin]

Thanks!That's all been really helpful! I think I must have kept them in propagator too long, so will perhaps not bother with that next year and just stick them staight into pots