![]() ![]() This light-cutting method will stimulate growth into a full and bushy shape. Thyme thrives from come-and-cut again harvests of a sprig or two. During the summer, you can remove the flowers to prevent them from going to seed.ĭo not take more than 1/3rd of the plant at any given time. The flavors will be less than perfect for cooking with. Also, avoid harvesting after the plants have gone to seed in the fall. These woody sections are less fragrant, not ideal for culinary uses, and are an essential component for the plant to regrow. Avoid cuttings of the woody parts of the plant. Take young fresh sprigs or leaves when you are harvesting. If you pinch or tear off leaves or stems, the damage to your plant can create a weak point for diseases or infestations (yikes!). When you are harvesting thyme, you are creating an open wound so clean gear will help keep your plants healthy. You will need sterilized pruners or garden shears when you are ready to harvest from your thyme plants. Thyme can tolerate a light frost but for successful storage and delicious flavor, try to harvest at the end of the growing season before any cold temperature and moisture changes. If you are growing thyme as an annual, or in colder regions outside of its growing zones, it is recommended to do a major harvest in your garden right before the first frost. Avoid harvesting during the winter months when the plants are dormant and growing slowly. The morning provides the most fragrance in thyme. The best time of the day to harvest thyme is on a sunny morning after the leaves are dry from any dew or moisture. For the most flavor from your herbs, trim cuttings right before or as the plant flowers. You can harvest fresh thyme periodically throughout the growing season, spring and summer. ![]() If the thyme is at least 4-5 inches across in diameter, it has matured and is ready for harvest! We recommend looking at the width of your thyme plant. Since there are many fun varieties of thyme to cultivate and they vary in height. Keep in mind that your plants are still a baby and cannot tolerate too much harvesting in their first year in the garden. This first year is key for letting the plants establish so that you can enjoy years of delightful harvests! Feel free to take a few small sprigs from the tip of the thyme or a few leaves to flavor your dishes every once in a while. Now let’s learn more about how to enjoy your bountiful harvest! When Should I Harvest Thyme? Once you know how to harvest thyme, it’s truly a game changer! Source: cookbookman17įirst question, how old are your thyme plants? If you are in the first year of planting thyme, it is recommended to be very ( very!) sparse and light with harvesting. Not only will we provide tips on harvesting thyme, but we will cover methods of storing fresh and dried thyme for long-lasting flavor. Properly harvesting thyme and the occasional prune can encourage more growth and create a full, bushy, and happy plant! ![]() It can be exciting to have direct access to this culinary herb but keep in mind that harvesting thyme at the wrong time or even overharvesting can cause damage and slow its growth. Some gardeners grow thyme in containers to bring indoors during the winter or in herb gardens next to rosemary, oregano, parsley, and sage. You will want to grow thyme in a location with full sun and well-drained sandy soil. Thyme originates from the Mediterranean and is easy to grow, low maintenance, and drought tolerant. This is how I started cultivating my lemon thyme! If you have a gardener friend, ask for a cutting from their thyme plant. You may want to search your local nurseries for thyme, as this plant can be a little difficult to propagate if grown directly from seed. Thyme has some distinctive varieties such as garden thyme ( Thymus vulgaris), lemon thyme ( Thymus citriodorus), caraway thyme ( Thymus herba-barona), or wooly thyme ( Thymus psuedolanguinosus). If you are new to growing thyme in your garden or love cooking with this herb, it is important to know when and how to harvest thyme. Thyme is an exceptional herb to grow in the garden and is a fragrant addition to many culinary dishes. ![]()
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