Creeping Thyme Seeds

Thyme is a low growing perennial garden herb. This means it can grow all year round and still get to keep it’s gorgeous green colour too. In late spring and throughout the summer months until Autumn (September), established plants bear small white, purple, pink, or reddish flowers which are attractive to bees. There are many genus and varieties of this splendid herb. As explored by Geoff Hamilton ‘there are several creeping thyme’ varieties (thymus serpyllum), many of which will become invasive. This guru of gardening suggests that ‘a path is the best spot’ for this particular type of herb thyme. But how about planting these seeds as a lawn?

Growing From Seed

With some plants, growing from seed can be difficult. But often, as with some herbs, the planting of creeping thyme seeds can be started off indoors in warm, protected conditions during February or March. When growing this variety of garden seeds, sprinkle the herb seeds lightly onto prepared soil in small pots or in module trays. Water the seeds but do not drench. Growth is steady but avoid over watering as this tends to make plants spindly or die off completely. When growth is established, healthy plants will be clustered fairly thickly together. The roots of herb thyme are easily managed as they mat or clump together and this should help the plant re-establish quickly when ready to be transplanted outdoors. Thyme herb prefers gritty, less nutrient rich soil.

Creeping thyme seeds outdoors in the garden

Later, when hardened off, thyme may be planted out in the garden in large pots, troughs, or other type of container. This can be in late spring when the weather conditions are kinder. This herb loves full sun and is deliciously aromatic in an exposed, sunny position. All varieties will eventually thrive in well drained surroundings. Native to hot climates like Asia and the Mediterranean, herb thyme proliferates in hot Mediterranean regions where it’s aroma scents the air. It will do the same in any garden.

Creeping thyme is a very useful edging plant which provides good ground cover in a rockery or aromatic herb bed. Planting up a lawn, or a similar bare patch with a cluster of creeping thyme seeds is a natural progression from the sunny path idea. A carpet of different herb varieties adds interest as these plants spread well and tend to knit together. Time to explore your creativity with shape, colour, and texture. Organic thyme can be bought in pots ready to be planted out. Create a herb garden using organic thyme and other organic plants. Variegated lemon thyme and other organic herbs produce an appealing summery palette of colour and flavours.

Cooking with Thyme

In the kitchen thyme has many culinary uses. It goes well with fish and also meat dishes. Creeping thyme can be used to flavour vegetable dishes and to create an herb oil which can be used with salads.

Thyme’s Medicinal & Other Uses

All varieties of thyme have strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Thyme essential oil, particularly red thyme, can be used as an extremely strong antiseptic and disinfectant. It has been found to be particularly useful as a mould inhibitor. A cautionary note. Thyme essential oil should not be used by pregnant women.

Creeping thyme makes an effective wash for minor cuts and grazes when the leaves are chopped and steeped in boiled water. The cooled liquid can be used to bathe the affected area. Either indoors in the home, or outdoors in the garden, creeping thyme is a valued and valuable plant.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor should it be taken as advice.

Resources : The Complete First Time Gardener by Geoff Hamilton & Gay Search

The Book of Herbs by Barty Phillips