Creeping thyme: growing from seeds and outdoor care with photo

Cultivation of creeping thyme is a process that does not have complicated steps. To get a positive result, it is enough to know the rules of planting and caring for the plant. Creeping thyme or thyme is one of the amazing representatives of the flora. Culture is used not only in landscape design, but is also valued for a lot of positive properties.

Specificity of creeping thyme

Features of the plant are useful properties. Medical professionals advise using thyme for the following conditions:

• fever;
• bloating and intestinal cramps;
• neurosis;
• neuralgia.

Culture is used as an anticonvulsant and disinfectant. Regular use restores the intestinal microflora. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract is normalized. Thyme also has a diuretic effect.

The above-ground part of the culture has healing properties. The composition of the plant is rich in useful substances. Thyme contains:

• acids: ursolic, thymic, cinchonic, oleonolic, coffee and chlorogenic;
• plant polyphenols;
• resin;
• essential oil;
• bitter;
• tannins.

Thyme is often planted near bee apiaries, as it is considered an excellent honey plant … The culture has a wonderful aroma and unique taste. Due to its scent, many perfumers use the plant to create perfumes.

Combination with other plants

Thyme is a real find for group plantings. Allows you to create a background against which plants with textured leaves will look advantageous. Thyme completes the overall picture. If a person plants yellow flowers, choose creeping thyme for contrast.

The powerful aroma of the crop attracts a large number of insects that pollinate the plant. Gardeners have long noticed this feature and use it as a little trick. They plant thyme near cucumber beds. The bees are attracted to the smell and pollinate other vegetable crops to help gardeners.

Types and varieties

Thyme is an inferior shrub that stands out for its short stature. The height of the plant does not exceed 15 cm. Creeping thyme got its name due to its ability to spread along the ground, forming a lush carpet of flowers and greenery. Vivid purple flowers gather in capitate inflorescences.

Gardeners often choose creeping thyme to decorate their summer cottage. Due to the peculiarity of blooming throughout the summer, the culture is used in landscape design. Most often, people choose these varieties:

• Donna Valley - the culture is growing so much that it becomes like a carpet with pink-hued flowers.
• Colchis - the plant spreads low above the ground, forming small lilac flowers.
• Silver Queen - differs from other varieties of thyme in the gray color of the leaves, framed in white edging.

In the latter case, the inflorescences are very dense. The flowers are lavender colored.

Creeping thyme - one of the varieties of thyme, among which you can also find:

1. Ordinary. Culture growth ranges from 5 to 10 cm. A branch with small leaves below looks like fluff. The hue of the flowers of the plant changes from white to pale lilac.
2. Lemon smelling. Can be planted in early spring or fall. The name thyme was formed because of the delicate aroma, which contains lemon notes. Young leaves are yellow. Allocate grades:

• Bertram Anderson - with green leaves dotted with yellow spots.
• Aurea - has a bright yellow color.

3. Early. The flowering of the plant begins long before the appearance of flowers in other varieties. Unfortunately, the culture fades faster than the rest. The following varieties are cultivated in the country:

• fuzzy thyme - green leaves with excessive pubescence at the tip slightly sharp;
• Minor - small leaves are also covered with villi, the plant is slow growing.

Reproduction of thyme

You can get a new crop in several ways - by cuttings, from a seed and by dividing a bush. The latter option is considered one of the easiest, but at the same time traumatic for the plant. A he althy bush is dug up and the root is cleaned of soil. They are divided into several parts, which are immediately planted in open ground.

No less popular is the method of propagation of culture by cuttings. Thyme sprigs are prepared in spring or autumn. Suitable for planting are those that have been cut from a full-fledged plant. Before planting, the lower part is cleaned of leaves and planted in moist soil to speed up the growth process.Thyme takes root quickly and does not require much human effort.

Planting thyme outdoors

It doesn't take much effort to grow a plant in the garden and get a fluffy carpet. Culture serves as a real decoration for borders, flower beds and rocky hills. Ornamental thyme leaves are very beautiful and are able to complement the overall picture with an incredible aroma. It fills the garden with a gentle scent, giving the atmosphere an air of mystery.

For the full development of culture, it is necessary to create special conditions. If everything is done correctly, thyme will delight the eye with abundant flowering and saturate with useful substances. Flowerbeds set aside for growing thyme should be in direct sunlight. If there is not enough light, the bushes of the plant will lose their visual appeal. In the shade, the stems stretch and become thin, the flowers of the culture become smaller and fade earlier than usual.

Planting at home

Before planting thyme, the soil is prepared. The earth should be light and well pass moisture through itself. Neutral acidity is welcome. The soil must have good fertility.

In autumn, the topsoil is dug up and lime is added. It must be dry and thoroughly mixed with the ground. Then they prepare the substrate for the plant, which consists of rotted leaves, river sand, black soil and humus. Before planting the crop, the land is enriched with organic matter, last year's manure or organic fertilizers.

Disembarkation is made in one of two ways:

• seeds;
• seedlings.

Thyme seeds are sown in open soil in the spring, when the air and earth warm up a little.It is recommended to sow planting material at an air temperature of at least +13 °C. Dig up the flower beds, and mix the earth with the prepared substrate and level it. Introduce seeds, sprinkle with a thin layer of river sand and water.

As soon as the first shoots of the plant appear and reach a height of 3 cm, they proceed to planting. This condition is necessary for thyme to grow and develop fully. There should be at least 30 cm between each bush. If the conditions are right, thyme will please with rapid growth.

Thyme is planted in the open ground in the form of seedlings. To obtain sprouts, seeds are used, which are placed in specially designated containers. Planting is carried out in mid-February.

Plant care

Perennial culture does not need complex agricultural technology. All that is required of a person is to choose a suitable site and prepare it. In the future, observe the irrigation regime and fertilization. Don't forget to remove weeds as well.

Irrigation

Planting is constantly weeded so that weeds do not interfere with the growth of the crop. After watering, the earth must be loosened in order to avoid the formation of a soil crust. It is impossible to pour thyme, but it is also not recommended to keep the soil dry. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of drying the soil, it should be soft, not wet. Despite the ability to endure cold winters, light cover will not interfere with the crop.

Feeding

Thyme can be left without top dressing, but if possible, the procedure is done. Urea is added in early spring, and azofoska is used when cutting greens. If thyme grows on the site for the second year, mineral fertilizers or mullein are added to the ground. The culture responds well to wood ash, periodic application reduces the level of acidity.Thyme categorically does not like fresh manure.

Diseases and pests

Proper planting and proper care exclude the development of diseases in the plant. Landing in open ground is fraught with such pests for the crop:

• meadow moth;
• sand linger;
• weevil;
• aphid.

Insecticidal preparations help to get rid of insects. Most often, the plant suffers from a fungus. Fortunately, the culture can be cured and returned to its former appearance. Treatment - minimal watering, removing weeds, providing sunlight.

Harvesting

According to tradition, it is customary to collect thyme on Trinity. People believe that it is on this day that he has the greatest power.Harvesting greens must be done during the flowering period. The most leafy branches are cut with a sharp knife. In no case should the culture be broken off so as not to damage it.

Then the sprigs are dried like other herbs. They are laid out on strips of natural fabric or tied in bunches under the ceiling. The most suitable place for drying is the attic of the house. When the plant dries, it can be used for its intended purpose - to decorate the room and make he althy drinks.

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