Thyme is an herb from the mint family that you probably recognize from your spice set. But it’s so much more than an after-thought ingredient.

Its range of use is impressive, and it has over 400 subspecies. Ancient Egyptians used it in their embalming practices, while ancient Greeks used it as incense.

Thanks to its distinctive taste, thyme has remained a culinary staple to this day. But thyme is also fast gaining a reputation for its medicinal qualities, such as its ability to help treat acne and high blood pressure, as previously noted. Here Joanne Washburn, Food.news, reflects on growing your own thyme:

“Thyme deserves a spot in any proper herb garden. It’s a versatile kitchen ingredient that’s quite forgiving to grow, even for beginner gardeners. Thyme’s foliage is also attractive, which means it makes a pretty patch of ground cover.

A beloved Mediterranean herb, thyme adds a savory note to your hearty summer soups, roasted vegetables and grilled meat. Thyme also blends extraordinarily well with other Mediterranean staples, including tomatoes and olive oil.

Given its culinary uses and ornamental merits, it’s high “thyme” you started planting some yourself.

Thyme varieties

Thyme has over 50 varieties, each with its own unique aroma and flavor. The culinary ones are evergreen. That means they keep their leaves throughout the year. So if you’re looking for a more “permanent” addition to your herb or vegetable garden, look no further than thyme!

Aside from common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), these varieties are popular among many gardeners:

• Golden lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus “Aureus”) – This thyme brightens any landscape thanks to its golden, variegated leaves. Its true lemon scent is ideal for herbal teas.
• Woolly thyme (T. pseudolanuginosus) – Woolly thyme, so named because of its soft, densely hairy leaves, is ideal for landscaping. However, it barely has any fragrance and is unsuitable for culinary use.
• Caraway thyme (T. herba-barona) – This aromatic thyme is an excellent flavoring for soups, stocks and roast meat. Caraway thyme grows close to the ground and produces pale, pink flowers.
• Creeping thyme (T. praecox) – True to its name, creeping thyme grows and spreads fast. Cultivate it around your shrubs, taller perennials and flower beds for a low-maintenance ground cover.

Tips for growing your own thyme

Once you’ve chosen the right thyme variety for your needs, it’s time to get down and dirty – literally.”

Read More … Article Source: https://www.food.news/2020-12-30-how-to-grow-thyme.html

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