There has been to many years of land degradation, that now must be holistically managed in all aspects of Agriculture for our survival. It surely must now be recognised by intelligent agricultural conglomerates that, taking without replacing is devastating our climate.
However it can only be changed by re educating our people to invest and support the new army of sustainable holistic agricultural farmers.
Time for Thyme: how to plant, grow, and use organic thyme
organic thyme
If I could only grow one perennial herb, it would be thyme.
Thank goodness nature never imposes a rule like that—beacuse I would miss mint, sage, rosemary, anise hyssop—but still, there’s nothing like sitting in a bed of thyme and running my hands through it, swirling the scent into the air and all around my body. It’s instant calm.
As a student in Wisdom of the Herbs, I remember my teacher Annie sharing an old saying, “who weeds thyme cultivates patience.”
I think it all comes from the scent. There’s nothing quite like the smell of thyme on a sunny summer day to infuse into my lungs and remind me to relax.
Even beyond summer, I keep thyme close. It’s easy to dry: just hang upside-down in bundles, and in a week or two, it’s ready for winter storage. All through winter and spring, I add thyme to meals and drink it in tea.
If you haven’t yet grown this perennial herb, it’s thyme you do.
(I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help myself!)
Thyme takes it time, so start seeds early in the spring, 6 – 8 weeks before your last frost date.
Sprinkle seeds in an open flat on the surface of the soil, and cover lightly with vermiculite or soil.
Once sown, it can take 2 – 4 to emerge from the soil, helping you cultivate patience right away.
organic thyme seedlings growing in rows in an open flat
Up-pot thyme into containers once the plants have at least 4 true leaves. I typically up-pot them 3-4 plants per container.
After the last frost, you can plant thyme outside, transplanting them 6 – 8” apart in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Thyme can grow well in dry soil, though if you live in a very hot climate, it will benefit from partial shade.
How to Use Thyme
Thyme is an aromatic herb that can help with digestion and respiratory issues.
I love it on roast chicken, paired with olive oil, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, add the salt, pepper, thyme, and olive oil together to make a thick paste, then rub on a whole chicken before roasting.
As a digestive aid, it’s also delicious paired with sage and added to lamb and beef roasts.
Alternatively, sprinkle it in black beans to brighten up rice and beans.
For a simple soothing tea, mix thyme and honey together.
Add 2-3 sprigs of thyme per 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover and let steep for 10 – 15 minutes. Add a spoonful of honey to taste.
This is our family’s favorite cold-time tea, made even better by the fact that our 5-year-old son loves it, too.
