Harvest tyme how to#
Harvest tyme full#

When you’re ready to use it, take out as many leaves as you need and crush them before adding to your recipe. Just lay out the stems in a single layer on the dehydrator trays and use a low setting suitable for herbs. You can also use a food dehydrator, if you have one, to dry thyme more quickly. When the leaves are crispy and crumbly, you can take your bundles down.

Thyme leaves are small and dry quickly, so start checking on them after a week.

Most herbs take 2-3 weeks to dry fully, but the exact timing depends on humidity levels and other conditions.

This helps protect your herbs as they dry and catches any leaves that fall off.

(Optional) Place brown paper bags with slits cut in them around each bundle of herbs.

Set this rack on a cookie tray and stash it somewhere well ventilated but out of direct sunlight. If it’s really humid, spread thyme out on a paper towel placed on top of a wire rack.

Use more string or twine to tie them up in a warm, dark, and well-ventilated area. Gather the stems into small bundles and tie them together at their cut ends.Pat them dry with a kitchen towel and lay them out to dry for an hour or two on another towel.Gently rinse off the stems in cool water or swish them around in a bowl or sink filled with water.It’s one of the very few herbs that actually air dries for me in a humid 8a climate.

Harvest tyme how to#

How to dry and preserve thymeįresh thyme leaves (still attached to the stem) can be refrigerated for a week or two, but drying thyme is the best way to store it long-term.įortunately, thyme is one of the easiest herbs to dry. You’ll soon see new growth coming out of where you harvested. Trimming is actually good for the plants, so don’t be afraid to give your thyme a good haircut. As long as you do this, you’ll be able to get 2-3 harvests off of the same plants before winter. You can cut stems any length as long as you leave at least 4-5” of growth behind so that your plants can bounce back. Cut off the top 5-8” of growth, leaving tough and woody parts behind. To harvest thyme for drying, go through your plants with a pair of sharp scissors or garden clippers.

If you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary which also likes sunny conditions and has similar watering needs.Rinse off the whole stem once you get inside then run your fingers (or an herb stripper) down the stem to pull the leaves off.

In the garden, plant thyme near cabbage or tomatoes.

The plants should grow 6 to 12 inches in height.

Space young plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending upon the specific variety.

This is usually 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost in well-drained soil about 9 inches apart.

Plant cuttings or young thyme plants any time after the ground temperature reaches 70☏.

For a head start, plant the cuttings indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost.

Over time, you can propagate from your own cuttings. It’s easier to buy the plants from a garden center or take some cuttings from a friend.

It’s hard to grow thyme from seeds because of slow, uneven germination.

In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary.

Soil needs to drain well so there aren’t “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials.

Harvest tyme full#

Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat. If you are growing in a pot indoors, plant near a sunny window.