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When to Sow Creeping Thyme in New York

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a shrubby, low-growing herb, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. It is grown for its aromatic leaves as well as for the fragrant pink flowers that appear in early summer. New York state comprises nine plant hardiness zones, from 3b to 7b, so thyme is hardy in much of the state. Sowing dates for the seeds depend on the planting zone.

  1. Timing

    • The key to timely seed sowing is finding out the last frost date range for a specific area. Local cooperative extension agents are a good source of frost date maps and information. A significant portion of New York state experiences its last spring frost May 10 to 20. Generally, soil begins to warm after that date and it is safe to sow seeds. Gardeners, especially those in USDA zones 4 and 5, may want to get a head start on the growing season by sowing creeping thyme seeds indoors about a month before the last frost dates.

    Sowing

    • Whether sowing inside or outside, sow seeds thinly. Cover with a thin layer of soil and mist daily. Sunny outdoor locations are best for thyme. Indoor seed trays should receive bright, indirect light. Even under ideal conditions, the seeds may germinate unevenly. After the danger of frost has passed, harden off plants started inside by taking them outdoors to a shady, protected spot for several days before planting in the garden. Plants will reach maturity within 90 to 150 days of sowing.

    Special Situations

    • In addition to its usefulness as an herb, creeping thyme makes an excellent filler between stepping stones or within crevices of rock walls. If this is the intended use for the herb, it is best to sow seeds in trays, harden seedlings outside and transplant young plants after a couple of months. Alternately, buy starter plants at nurseries or garden centers or propagate new plants from cuttings taken from established creeping thyme specimens. Once the young plants are in place, water well until they are established.

    Varieties

    • Many cultivars of creeping thyme are available, either as seeds or young starter plants. The varieties can be sown at the same times and under the same conditions as the species. "Albus" (Thymus serpyllum "Albus") features white flowers instead of the usual rosy purple, and "Coccineus" (Thymus serpyllum "Coccineus") bears red flowers. Woolly mother-of-thyme (Thymus serpyllum "Lanuginosus," sometimes identified as a separate species, Thymus lanuginosus) features woolly-looking gray-green leaves. "Roseus" (Thymus serpyllus "Roseus") is a pink-flowered creeping thyme variety.

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Growing Herbs
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