Summer thyme de Provence, like common thyme, is an indispensable herb in the kitchen. This small-growing plant is native to the Mediterranean region. Summer thyme is less hardy than common thyme, but it grows faster and doesn't become woody as quickly and is therefore easier to use whole in dishes. The small leaves of this variety smell very nice and taste delicious too.
Summer thyme has several medicinal uses. Summer thyme is traditionally used against Rheumatism, stomach cramps, insomnia, Asthma, lung diseases, paralysis, headaches and colic. Summer thyme is also blood-purifying, flu-fighting and stomach-strengthening. Summer thyme is also used as an anti-cough remedy. Summer thyme is also used in cooking with lamb, beef, pork, eggs, cheese, pasta, soups and potatoes. Summer thyme is also an important part of Provencal herbs and of a bouquet garni. Summer thyme is also widely used in sauces, stews, stir-fries, oven dishes, pasta dishes, marinades, with game, in soups, salads, potato dishes, egg dishes (omelets) and in herb butter. It is also a very popular herb in French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Moroccan, Tunisian, English and Dutch cuisine. Summer thyme can be cooked along in dishes. Summer thyme is used both fresh and dried. Dried summer thyme has a stronger flavour. The leaves of summer thyme are used or the whole thyme is added to a dish. Summer thyme is also used to make tea. This tea is used against colds, coughs, throat problems and to strengthen health. Summer thyme can also be added to a foot bath or herbal bath. Summer thyme then acts to ward off cold, combat fatigue and to relax. So summer thyme is used in many different ways. Cover the plants, in autumn with e.g. a straw layer or mulch to prevent freezing. Summer thyme blooms with pink to white flowers. Non hardy perennial.
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 10 - 15 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: ½ cm
Planting distance: 23 - 28 cm
Plant position: sunny
Harvest period: June (see text below)
Sow indoors from March till April. Sow in trays filled with moist pottingsoil. Sow sparingly and shallow and cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Thyme is a light germinator. The seeds need a lot of warmth to germinate. Cover the trays with a lid to retain the moisture. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Remove the lid, when the seedlings emerge. Put the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, in seperate pots. Harden these pots of for about 14 days in the sun during the day, from the beginning of May. Put the young plants on a sunny plot after this period, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrost. Keep about 23 - 28 cm apart.
Sow outdoors from the middle of May, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrost. Sow in rows about 45 cm apart. Sow sparingly and shallow. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Thin the seedlings, when they're about 5 - 7 cm in size to about 23 - 28 cm surrounding the plants. Put Thyme on a sunny plot with sandy, lime rich soil with good drainage.
Harvest Thyme in the first year after sowing, only once. After this you can harvest Thyme in the second year after sowing twice. First in June and for the second time not later than end of August. Cut the branches of Thyme of with scissors. Cut regularly to promote the growing of new leaves. Cover the plants, in autumn with e.g. a straw layer or mulch to prevent freezing.
