Thymus species (Labiatae)

Appearance

Common or garden thyme reaches its mature growth in the form of a round cloud 25 to 35 cm tall, unlike the rest of the thyme clan which occurs in the form of a low 75 mm tall ground cover or border ( 3 inches), for which they are most often used.

History

Thyme is an essential addition to your arsenal of herb garden plants. Aside from thyme’s culinary virtues, it is also used to make preservatives using thymol, an essential oil found in the thyme plant.

common or garden thyme (T. Vulgaris) It’s the culinary star, but like the mint family, thyme has many disguises—particularly lemon thyme and caraway thyme, which are used as decorative plants that also serve a culinary function. Smell them to see why; the aroma of thyme is distinctive.

culinary use

The strong aroma of these herb garden plants survives preservation by drying or freezing. Thyme is particularly useful for venison or other game, as its flavor softens the wild flavor and survives the slow cooking process. be careful when using thyme for normal dishes; although an essential element in bouquet of aromatic herbsthe strong flavor can overwhelm many dishes when used as a stand-alone herb in a recipe.

Thyme is traditionally used in:

• cooked meats
• stews
• Fish dishes (lemon thyme)
• vegetable soups
• Stuffing (Chicken, rolled and boneless pork, rolled beef)
• terrines
• Sausages

Crop

Well-drained, lime-rich, dry soil in a sun-drenched location is what these herb garden plants need. It is good practice to plant thyme in pots to move indoors or to shelter in winter, especially in an area with winter rainfall that can experience excessive moisture. Even in areas that experience a mild winter, some shelter is advisable. This may mean planting thyme separately from your other herb garden plants.

Harvest

For best results, harvest thyme before the plants flower. Use a warm, shady location to hang the twigs to dry, or alternatively, place them on kitchen paper or a clean cloth.

smeared

Cuttings taken before flowering grow well or are propagated from seed sown in spring. Plant seedlings up to 75mm. (3 ins.) when convenient to handle.