Thyme as an Element in Sustainable Gardening

Thyme is a low growing, woody perennial, often with small pink flowers, and requires little maintenance. It does need full sun and neutral to slightly alkaline soil with good drainage. Thyme is a drought tolerant plant. And thyme can be an important element in sustainable gardening.

As a perennial, thyme provides an important year-round habitat for beneficial insects, including pollinators.

Thyme is often effectively used as a border plant, fitting into many small spaces. Try planting a low-growing variety to fill spaces among stones and pavers. However, thyme also makes an excellent groundcover; it has an attractive appearance and can be used to prevent erosion from both wind and water.

Save water! Try replacing your lawn with a low growing thyme. Broadcast thyme seed to cover large spaces. From a distance, low growing thyme varieties can look like moss with very small leaves; some such varieties have a slightly undulating appearance. Many thymes can withstand foot traffic.

Small, compact thyme varieties can be used for companion planting. Do not  interplant thyme with other garden vegetables that have higher water needs, such as carrot or parsley; thyme does not tolerate overly saturated soil. Instead plant thyme with other Mediterranean herbs such as lavender and rosemary.

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