You can even go all the way down to the base of the plant and the plant will generate new growth quickly. If your plant’s stems are pliable and green, it doesn’t really matter how far back you cut. Just cut off a stem – or a group of stems, depending on how much the recipe calls for. If you run to the garden for a few sprigs of thyme to use fresh in a recipe, harvesting is super simple. How to harvest thyme if you are using it fresh The timing and techniques used for harvesting are different if you want to use your thyme fresh vs using it for drying. Let’s talk next about how to harvest thyme for immediate use. There are slight differences in how to harvest thyme if you plant to use it fresh versus if you plan to dry it for later use. It’s important to understand how to harvest a thyme plant because if you remove too much growth at any one time, it will be difficult for the plant to recover, but if you don’t harvest enough, then the plant becomes woody. I don’t harvest more than a few sprigs after August because I want the plant to have time to generate new growth that can harden off before the arrival of fall’s first frost. Occasionally, I will harvest a third time in late August (several weeks after they’ve finished blooming). Once in mid spring and once in summer (just before they bloom). I harvest thyme from my plants for drying two times each growing season. With regular harvests throughout the summer, thyme plants stay bushier, more compact, and more productive. That means, of course, that the more you harvest, the more shoots the plants produce! Overgrown thyme plants that become very woody need to be replaced every few years. Believe it or not, consistently cutting the plants back (aka harvesting) reduces the formation of woody growth and keeps the plant more productive. ![]() With woody perennial herbs like thyme, properly timing the harvest is important for plant health and longevity. Since thyme is in a group of plants known as “woody perennials”, it generates woody stem growth (unlike oregano and tarragon, for example, which are “herbaceous perennials” that produce stems that are always green and pliable). When to harvest thymeįor the best thyme harvest, proper timing is essential. They’re adored by smaller species of bees and other pollinators. Thyme plants produce sweet little blooms in the summertime. The timing and techniques are the same regardless of whether you’re growing thyme in a garden bed or in a container. Let’s talk next about the best time to harvest thyme. In shadier conditions, blooming will be reduced, and the stems will be more slender and lanky. In direct sunlight, their pink to purple blooms appear from spring through early summer, and their fragrant, evergreen foliage is not only tasty, it’s also very attractive in the garden. Thyme plants are hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9, which means they’ll survive down to -20° F (-29° C). Perpetually “wet feet” spell death for the plant, particularly in the winter. If you have heavy-clay soil, plant thyme at the top of a retaining wall or in another site with good drainage. Thyme plants prefer hot and sunny locations with well-drained soil. If you want to have a good harvest of thyme, you’ll need to ensure the plants are growing in ideal conditions. A member of the mint family ( Lamiaceae), thyme is native to the Mediterranean region where it has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for many generations. Like basil and parsley, it is among the most popular herbs for home gardeners. It’s about thymeĬulinary thyme (known botanically as Thymus vulgaris) flavors dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces. Thyme is a great herb to grow in containers as well as in garden beds. In this article, you’ll learn how to harvest thyme for immediate culinary use or for drying. A hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb, thyme is a great choice for growing in garden beds or in pots. ![]() Thyme is an easy herb to grow, but knowing how to harvest thyme can keep the plants productive and healthy for years to come.
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