If you desire a perennial ground cover plant that can handle drouth , is evergreen , and does n’t necessitate much care , look no further than Thymus Serpyllum seeds ! They make a great hardy solid ground book binding that you could plant right in the garden or border ! creep Thyme plants are only 4 to 6 inches grandiloquent and have 1/4 - column inch bell - shaped flowers that are a beautiful shade of carmine pink for months on goal . butterfly stroke and bees have it off it , and you will too ! In no prison term at all , the creeping thyme will grow to be 18 inches spacious . originate in well - enfeeble neutal to alkaline soil in full Sunday . After flowering , cut vigorous thyme back severely to maintain tightness . In an alpine house , practice adequate parts loam , leaf mold , and grit .
Creeping Thyme does well in sunny beds , border , rock garden , and spilling over rock walls . It is lemon - scented , with fine glum green foliage and slightly hairy leaves .
crawl thyme is a fragrant hardy herb that makes a gorgeous groundcover or lawn alternative . With its midget leaves and purple flowers this plant releases a lovely minty aroma when step on . If you require to mature your own carpet of creeping thyme from seeds , you may be enquire when is the optimal time to sow in them .
An Overview of Creeping Thyme
With over 350 mintage thyme amount in many chassis but creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ) is a low - grow change that lean to hug the ground . Unlike its upright cousins , this thyme spread via stem that crawling along the soil . Given the right precondition , it will readily form a dense , weed - suppress matte .
pussyfoot thyme flourish in zone 4 - 9 It can suffer some foot traffic and does n’t require mowing The plant is also drought - tolerant and need little fertilization . Deer and rabbit incline to go forth it alone .
In spring , small lavender flowers appear , attract pollinators like butterflies and bees . The leaf emits a pleasant , mild perfume , especially when walked upon . Culinary varieties like creep lemon thyme can be used for cookery .
When to Sow Creeping Thyme Seeds Outdoors
Creeping thyme can be grown from seeds , cuttings , or transplants . Starting from seed ingest patience but allows you to raise a thyme lawn more affordably .
The ideal time to sow in sneak thyme seeds forthwith outside is in belated spring when soil temperature hit at least 65 - 70 ° F . This normally pass 4 - 6 weeks after your region ’s intermediate last natural spring frost date .
Wait too long after the last frost and temperature may apace climb into the 80s and 90 , which can hinder sprouting . Creeping thyme prefers cooler temperature .
train the grease by loosening and merge in 1 - 2 inch of compost or ripened manure to better drainage . Creeping thyme flourish in well - drain grunge .
Sow seeds tight together in row or disseminate them over the prepared stain . cover version very gently with 1/8 inch of filth or simply campaign into the grime open .
piss gently day by day until seedling emerge , which can take 14 - 28 days .
Once seedling reach 2 inch , thin to 6 - 12 inch apart .
Install a slender bed of organic mulch like grass clip or stubble to retain moisture and reduce weeds .
Water when the first 1 - 2 inches of filth become dry . Avoid overwatering .
Starting Creeping Thyme Seeds Indoors
For a head start , you could start creeping thyme seeds indoors up to 10 weeks before your realm ’s last expected springiness frost .
Sow seed in aseptic seed begin admixture . blanket lightly or simply exhort into the mix .
preserve a temperature between 60 - 70 ° F .
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soak .
Once sprouted , move seedling under grow igniter , maintaining 14 - 16 hours of daily light .
When the first set of true leaf egress , transpose each seedling into its own container .
Gradually expose works to out-of-door conditions over 7 - 14 day ( hardening off ) before transplanting them outside after all danger of frost .
infinite transplantation 8 - 12 inches apart into prepared garden beds . Water after engraft and as necessitate while plants establish .
No matter if you direct sow outdoors or start indoors , it ’s best to get crawl thyme planted in natural spring . Fall planting is not recommended because the plant need meter to establish before cold weather go far . Well - build creeping thyme may continue spreading in downslope but do n’t carry spry results from freshly planted seeds or graft .
Growing Creeping Thyme in Warm Climates
In hot neighborhood , creeping thyme will appreciate some respite from intense summer heat . debate plant in part shade or orbit with good afternoon spectre . you may also sow seed in late summertime or former declivity for establishment before wintertime quiescence . Just be sure to plant at least 6 week before your first expected fall frost .
Mulching around flora can aid retain moisture during dry full stop . ward off heavy dressing which can make plants more prostrate to drought stress . In very blistering climate , creep thyme may go abeyant in summer heat , convalesce when temperature cool .
Ongoing Care for Creeping Thyme Lawns
Once established , a cringe thyme lawn requires minimum attention :
water supply during stretch dry periods but nullify overwatering . Established creeping thyme is quite drought - large-minded .
Fertilize sparingly , if at all . Excess nitrogen can lead to floppy growth .
fleece back plant by up to one third after flowering to advance thick ontogenesis .
In cold zones , apply winter mulch after the ground freeze to foreclose frost heave .
Monitor for sens and plume them when diminished . Reseed bare bandage .
Aerate compacted area and top wearing apparel with a thin bed of compost .
look at a moment of clock time to the right way organize the seedbed and care for young plants will pay off . In its first yr , creep thyme will establish an attractive groundcover . Over the next 1 - 2 years , it will circulate out and acquire into a gorgeous , fragrant thyme lawn that requires scarce any mowing or watering .
Where to Buy Creeping Thyme Seeds
When purchasing creeping thyme seeds , look for named cultivars like ‘ pinkish Chintz ’ or ‘ Coccineus ’ rather than generic “ crawl thyme ” cum . Reputable source include :
Botanical Interests – Sells single varieties likeMagic CarpetorPink Chintz .
Sow True Seed – OffersCreeping Thymeseeds andMother of Thyme .
Mountain Valley Growers – Sellsseedsof creeping thyme varieties like ‘ pinkish Chintz ’ and ‘ Coccineus . ’
Outsidepride – Offers creeping thyme seeds by the ounce or pound , such aslemon thyme .
When shopping for creeping thyme source , pick out a reputable company and salmagundi suited to your climate . Then postdate the planting guidelines above to grow a beautiful and fragrant thyme lawn . With proper precaution , you ’ll enjoy this hardy groundcover for class to get along .
Creeping Thyme Seeds – Serpyllum 1 OZ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17.99 1/8 LB ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 399 1/2 LB ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 137.99 1 LB ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2799
4 – 6 column inch
Full sun to partial shade
Well - drained , pH 5.8 – 6.8
14 – 21 days
Do not cover the semen but press into the soil
Plant creeping thyme seed at 1/8 lb per 5,000 square ft
Keep seeds moist until germination
6 – 12 inches
Approximately 2,700,000 source per British pound .
Planting Creeping Thyme
FAQ
Can I just scatter creeping thyme seed ?
What month do you plant thyme seeds ?
Is creeping thyme hard to grow from seed ?
Should I soak creeping thyme seeds before planting ?
When can I constitute creeping thyme semen ?
Direct sow seed outdoors in late spring when temperatures are systematically in the high 60 ’s or above . Seeds can also be pop out indoors 8 - 10 calendar week before your ordinary last hoar date . Creeping Thyme prefers well drained dirt with a neutral pH ( between 6.5 and 7.5 ) in an area where it experience good sun , but can also tolerate partial shade .
How do you grow creeping thyme ?
Creeping Thyme prefers well drained soil with a electroneutral pH ( between 6.5 and 7.5 ) in an area where it receive undecomposed sunlight , but can also put up fond shade . creep thyme is a dim raiser and will take more than one season to reach its full potential . Creeping Thyme seeds require light to germinate , so be measured not to embrace them when planting .
When does creeping thyme flower ?
On ripe plants , flush usually seem in late spring and early summer . Plant creeping thyme from seeds or potted nursery starts in the springiness . In its first year , it ’s a slow - to - moderate grower , but once it ’s establish , it will fan out quicker in subsequent year .
Can crawl thyme grow together ?
sneak thyme plants can grow as individual plant , but they look even more fascinating when planted together as a flowering groundcover or lawn choice . When growing multiple creeping thyme plants together , space them about 12 inches apart so they have plenty of way to grow .
