French Thyme

Common names	French Thyme
Latin name	Thymus vulgaris
Life cycle	Perennial
Height	1 ft
Space	12-18" apart
Bloom	June-July
Light	Sun to part shade
Soil	Light, dry, well-drained
Zone	--
Feature	--

Use:
Thyme works well with veal, lamb, beef, poultry, fish, potatoes, rice, eggs, soup, stews, stuffing, and bean and lentil casseroles and just about all vegetables. Thyme can be used fresh, but the aroma of the dried herb is considered better. The essential oil contains thymol which has antiseptic properties and is a key ingredient in many mouth-washes. Gargling with thyme tea at the onset of a cold can nit it in the bud. Inhaling the vapors of hot thyme tea can relieve coughs and head colds. A handful of bruised leaves thrown into the bath or strained under the tap through a cheesecloth can ease bruises, swellings, sprains and rheumatic problems. like lavender, the dried flowers and foliage have been used in sachets to protect linens from insects. in the garden, thyme repels whiteflies and cabbageworms.

Culture:
Avoid wetting the foliage as this reduces fragrance. harvesting just before flowering will provide maximum flavor. You could harvest anytime, except harvesting past mid-summer will make the plant less winter hardy. Cutting the woody stems back by half in spring will encourage new growth. Divide clumps in spring or replace every 3 to 4 years because they become woody and straggly.

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