How do I grow thyme?
Thyme is one of the easiest of all herbs to grow in the home garden as it is a low growing shrubby perennial plant that produces underground shoots that sucker, forming a compact clump that will provide an almost endless supply of foliage for the kitchen. All thymes are very useful culinary herbs that can be used to flavour soups, stews and meat and fish dishes. A sprinkle of chopped thyme into scrambled eggs and omelettes turns them into a gourmet dish.
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Thymus vulgaris - thyme
There are lots of types of thyme but the most useful are common thyme and lemon thyme, which also comes in an attractive gold-leafed good ground covering form.
Thyme can be planted either in the garden or in containers and needs little care so long as it is being regularly trimmed for use in the kitchen. It likes a sunny position with good drainage, and can cope with poor soils and dry conditions. It dislikes waterlogged soils.
Thyme has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thyme tea is a good old fashioned treatment for sore throats and coughs, added honey is optional.