What is the mother of thyme?

The mother of thyme, or thymus praecox Opiz, is a permanent celinary herb from the Mint family. The foliage is dense and mothers forming, so the mother of thyme is suitable for use as a ground cover, in the border or in combination with other plantings in containers. The mother of thyme prefers full sun, well -drained soil and is tolerant of drought. This herb comes from Asia, Europe and Africa, but is planted in gardens in a slight climate around the world.

The average height for the mother of thyme is about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm). There are two varieties of thyme: low -growing creeping thyme and bushes that reach a height of about 12 inches (30 cm). The mother of thyme has a creeping diversity and expands to approximately 24 inches (61 cm). It is not considered invasive. Woody stems are hard and should be discarded before use. In summer, it produces small purple or pink flowers. In fact, too many fertilizers or water can damage the plant by growing too fast, whichRisks damage to winter freezing. The plant is doing well in rock gardens and can tolerate some pedestrian operation, although it does not have to tolerate it as well as other varieties of thyme. The herb can be promoted from cuttings or divisions.

Thyme is resistant to deer and rabbits, diseases of plants and insects. Gardeners will plant near cabbage to repel white cabbage. It is resistant to temperatures up to -20 ° F (-29 ° C) and in milder climate it is still green for most of the winter.

In order to maintain the best growth and taste, dead stems should be cut back in the spring, where new growth begins. Moreover, as the mother of thyme grows, the center can lose its own and look dead. Every three to four years as needed, the plant can be dug and divided in spring to maintain a healthier look. After division, the soil should be maintained moist until a new root system is formed.

Thyme leaves are used as AROMA for meat, steamed meat and vegetable dishes. Its leaves can be used for tea or dried and used in fragrant bags. The herb was also used for at least 5,000 years.