how to prune thyme aerogarden

When should thyme be pruned?

The best time to prune is early spring, but there is a second chance now, once flowering is over. Remove the spent flowers and cut the stems back to a pair of leaves on no more than a third of the overall plant.

How do you cut thyme for cooking?

If a recipe calls for "fresh thyme," the leaves need to be pulled off of the stem. To remove the leaves from a sprig of fresh thyme, simply hold the sprig at the top with one hand, pinch the sprig at the top with the other hand, and then slide those fingers down the stem, which will pull off the leaves as you go.

How do you cut thyme off the plant?

Simply push the end of the thyme stem through a hole and carefully but forcefully pull the stem through. The leaves will be collected in the strainer, ready to use whole or be chopped. No more annoying herb picking.

How do you prune thyme indoors?

Cut back overly woody stems on the thyme plant to force fresh new growth. Trim off flowers and dry them for a sachet or use them in tea. Removal of flowers increases foliage production.

How do I make my thyme bushy?

Really, the more you trim your thyme, the more it grows. Cut fresh stems in the morning, leaving behind tough, woody portions. Leave behind at least five inches of growth, so that the plant can still flourish. Regular pruning not only encourages more growth, but also promotes a more rounded shape.

How do you revive thyme?

Care for thyme by locating the plant in full sun, and only water the plant when the soil has had a chance to dry out somewhat between bouts of watering and the thyme should begin to revive.

Can you eat thyme raw?

Final Thoughts. Thyme (thymus vulgaris) is an herb that can be consumed fresh or dried. Like other herbs and spices, it's packed with disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants.

Where do you cut thyme?

In late fall, after the first frost, select one-third of the oldest and woodiest stems on your thyme plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these stems back by half. Repeat the process the next year until your thyme plant has returned to growing younger, more tender stems all over the plant.

Do you wash thyme?

Wash, then either use the whole sprig or remove the leaves and discard the stalk. To strip the leaves from the stems, hold a stalk at the top and then firmly run the thumb and forefinger of your other hand along the stalk from top to bottom – the leaves should break off as you go.

Can you use thyme that has flowered?

Thyme Flowers

The flowers on thyme are typically lavender-colored and edible. ... To eat them, use the flowers as a garnish while they're still attached to the stem. You can also break them up and sprinkle them over a dish.

How do you harvest thyme without killing the plant?

Pruning is the best way to harvest thyme. Not only does it allow you to carefully harvest without killing the plant, it also helps your thyme grow more vigorously and produce more flavorful foliage.

Does thyme grow back?

A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.

Should I cut the flowers off my thyme?

Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn't compromised by letting the plant bloom.

Can thyme survive winter?

Most selections of thyme (Thymus sp.) are hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 9 and marginally hardy to Zone 4 with added winter protection. In areas with cold winters, thyme is considered semi-evergreen, meaning that the plant will retain some of its foliage during winter but not all.

How often should you water thyme?

Water thyme plants to a depth of 1 inch every 10 to 15 days during the summer months. Cease watering in early autumn several weeks before the first rain. Water during the winter only if rainfall is very scant, with dry spells lasting more than two to three weeks. In that case, water to 1 inch every 10 to 15 days.

How long does a thyme plant live?

Woody Thyme and Natural Dieback

Although thyme is a perennial, it may last only three or four years before it naturally begins to turn brown in the center. As thyme grows, the base of the stems turns brown and woody.

Why is my thyme turning brown?

The reason thyme plants turn brown is because of fungal disease caused by excess moisture around the roots. Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that prefers somewhat dry conditions. Over watering and slow draining soils promote the conditions for fungal pathogens that cause thyme plants to turn brown.

How do you harvest thyme for drying?

The leaves will dry more quickly off the stem but they will remove more easily from an already dried piece of the herb. To remove the leaves, pinch the end of the stem with your thumb and forefinger and pull up the stalk. The leaves will fall off. Remove any of the peripheral twigs and proceed with drying fresh thyme.

Why is my thyme turning purple?

The most common cause of purple leaves (very common at this time of year) is a deficiency of phosphorus (P) because P is required to make ATP and ATP is needed to turn sugars to starch and to load sugar into phloem for transport.

How can you tell if thyme is bad?

How to tell if thyme is bad or spoiled? Thyme that is spoiling will typically become soft and discolored; discard any thyme that has an off smell or appearance.

Does thyme like full sun?

Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat. If you are growing in a pot indoors, plant near a sunny window. Soil needs to drain well so there aren't “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials.