- Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches of growth. Leave the tough, woody parts.
- It’s best to harvest thyme in morning after the dew has dried. Clean leaves should not be washed, because it removes some of the essential oils.
- Two or more crops may be gathered during the season.
- Or, if you keep trimming your thyme plant, it will keep growing (and also keep a compact shape). ...
- Trim thyme whenever it gets leggy.
- Fresh thyme should be stored refrigerated and wrapped lightly in plastic; it should last one to two weeks
- To dry thyme, hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated, warm area. You can also just dry the leaves by placing them on a tray. ...
- Freezing is another method of storage.
How do you know when thyme is ready to harvest?
If the thyme is at least 4-5 inches across in diameter, it has matured and is ready for harvest! You can harvest fresh thyme periodically throughout the growing season, spring and summer. For the most flavor from your herbs, trim cuttings right before or as the plant flowers.
When is the best time to cut thyme?
For a larger harvest, the best time to cut thyme is right before the plants start to flower. The leaves will be at their best and most intense flavor at this point and may start to lose flavor after flowering.
How to dry thyme?
Cut the stems for drying fresh thyme, just before a growth node. This will increase bushing and ensure a constant supply of the tasty leaves. Morning is the best time of day for harvesting thyme. After harvesting thyme, wash it and shake off the excess water. You can choose to dry the entire stem or remove the tiny leaves.
Should you pinch off thyme flowers?
If you grow your thyme for culinary purposes, you’ll get the most potent flavor from the herbs if you harvest right before the flowers begin to open. As for the flowers themselves, feel free to pinch them off if you like. This will stimulate the production of more leaves.
When should you harvest thyme?
Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers by cutting off the top five to six inches of growth. Leave the tough, woody parts. It's best to harvest thyme in morning after the dew has dried. Clean leaves should not be washed, because it removes some of the essential oils.
What does thyme look like when it's ready to harvest?
0:261:51Gardening Tips : How to Harvest & Store Thyme - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can harvest it almost anytime that it's growing so this is a smaller time plant it doesn'tMoreAnd you can harvest it almost anytime that it's growing so this is a smaller time plant it doesn't have a lot of growth to it.
How do you cut thyme off the plant?
0:020:34How to Remove Leaves from a Piece of Thyme - Martha Stewart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgainst the direction of leaf growth to release the leaves. Turn the stem and remove any remainingMoreAgainst the direction of leaf growth to release the leaves. Turn the stem and remove any remaining leaves from the top. This also works very well with rosemary.
How do you pick and dry thyme?
You can choose to dry the entire stem or remove the tiny leaves. The leaves will dry more quickly off the stem but they will remove more easily from an already dried piece of the herb. To remove the leaves, pinch the end of the stem with your thumb and forefinger and pull up the stalk. The leaves will fall off.
What does thyme look like fresh?
Dark, woody central stems are fine, but make sure the leaves are dry, verdant, and don't have dark spots or traces of fuzzy white mold. Dried thyme can be found in the dried spice aisle of any grocery store or supermarket as well.
Is it OK to let thyme flower?
Thyme's tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn't compromised by letting the plant bloom.
What part of fresh thyme do you use?
Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a "sprig" of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact.
What is the fastest way to pick thyme leaves?
0:041:42How to Separate Thyme Leaves from Stem- FAST! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you literally take your piece of time thread it through one of the holes until the stem. ComesMoreAnd you literally take your piece of time thread it through one of the holes until the stem. Comes out through the other side. And then you pull on the stem.
Does thyme come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
Is it better to freeze or dry thyme?
To store herbs long-term, fresh herbs can be frozen — but don't just toss them in a baggie! If you do, they'll likely freeze together and form ice crystals that will drain and muddy their flavor when they defrost. Instead: Thoroughly dry herbs (water droplets will cause splattering during cooking) and chop them.
How long does it take for thyme to dry?
between 1-2 weeksAir-drying Hang the herbs (from more string) on a clothes hanger, or use a herb drying rack in a well-ventilated, warm area away from direct sunlight. The thyme will take between 1-2 weeks to dry, depending on the weather and climate.
Can you eat thyme stems?
The stems of thyme are edible but are typically too woody to enjoy. The leaves are really what you are after, but leaving the leaves attached to the stem saves prep time. You can just remove and discard the stem and any attached leaves after cooking.
What happens when you pinch thyme?
When you are harvesting thyme, you are creating an open wo und so clean gear will help keep your plants healthy. If you pinch or tear off leaves or stems, the damage to your plant can create a weak point for diseases or infestations (yikes!). Take young fresh sprigs or leaves when you are harvesting.
How to preserve thyme?
First, resist washing your harvest. This will rinse off the fragrant oil on your herb. To maximize the thyme flavor, try to use it within the first 3 days of harvesting. Let’s explore how to prolong its flavor if you have an abundance of herbs. To maintain freshness, try to keep the leaves on the stem while storing.
How long does thyme last in the fridge?
You can place the stems in a glass jar with an inch of water for longer fridge storage. This can last in your refrigerator for up to 3 months as long as you periodically change the water out. To freeze fresh thyme, you can place your herb directly into a freezer bag.
How long does it take for thyme to dry?
If you wish to wash your herbs of any debris, place them on a towel afterward and pat dry. Let them completely dry out for at least 2 hours from their rinse.
How long does it take for a herb to dry in a dehydrator?
Lay the cuttings in a single layer on the trays. This process can take anywhere from 1-4 hours to dry so be sure to check frequently. When the leaves are crispy and crumbly, that is an indication that you are done with the drying process. Let the herbs cool down for an hour before removing them from the dehydrator.
How to freeze fresh thyme?
To freeze fresh thyme, you can place your herb directly into a freezer bag. Then you can pick off the tiny leaves whenever you are cooking and need fresh thyme. Another freezer method is to remove the leaves from the stem and place them into ice cube trays filled with water.
How long to dry out a sage plant?
Let them completely dry out for at least 2 hours from their rinse. Keep the leaves on the stems for food dehydration, if you don’t the tiny leaves might fall through the trays. Preheat the dehydrator to its lowest temperature, around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the cuttings in a single layer on the trays.
When is the best time to harvest thyme?
Cut the stems for drying fresh thyme, just before a growth node. This will increase bushing and ensure a constant supply of the tasty leaves. Morning is the best time of day for harvesting thyme.
How to dry thyme after harvesting?
After harvesting thyme, wash it and shake off the excess water. You can choose to dry the entire stem or remove the tiny leaves. The leaves will dry more quickly off the stem but they will remove more easily from an already dried piece of the herb.
How to dry thyme in a dehydrator?
The moisture in herbs that are drying in the necessary warm conditions may cause the formation of mold if too much humidity is in the area. To dry thyme in a dehydrator, lay the stems in a single layer on the racks that come with the unit. The stems will dry in under two days and can be stripped of the leaves.
How long does it take for thyme to dry in a dehydrator?
To dry thyme in a dehydrator, lay the stems in a single layer on the racks that come with the unit. The stems will dry in under two days and can be stripped of the leaves.
How to preserve a sage plant?
Drying the leaves is the quickest method of preserving the herb. Once the leaves are separated from the stem, you can just lay them on a cookie sheet. Stir them up after half a day. The leaves will be completely dry in just a couple of days.
How long does it take for a stem to dry?
Tie the bundles and hang them where the temperatures are at least 50 F. (10 C.) and humidity is low. Stems may take a week or more to dry .
Can you store fresh thyme after harvesting?
Storing Thyme – Drying Fresh Thyme After Harvesting. Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs, with a variety of cultivars and flavors. It grows quickly in sunny, hot conditions but can also withstand cold winters.
Tips
You can still harvest thyme after it flowers, but the blooms attract bees that could get in your way and make collecting the stems more difficult.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing.
When is thyme harvested?
While thyme is usually harvested in the summer months, we have harvested ours well into late fall! Thyme can grow in the ground or in a container. Either is left outside in wintertime. New leaves will emerge within the early spring.
What does thyme smell like?
Thyme is a wonderful herb with a pleasant, pungent, clover flavor. It smells like summer to us! There are both fragrant ornamental types as well as culinary thyme varieties which add a savory note to summer soups, grilled meats, and vegetables. Here’s how to plant and grow thyme.
How long does fresh thyme last?
Trim thyme whenever it gets leggy. Fresh thyme should be stored refrigerated and wrapped lightly in plastic; it should last one to two weeks. To dry thyme, hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated, warm area. You can also just dry the leaves by placing them on a tray. Once dried, store them in an airtight container.
What is the most common thyme?
The three most common varieties of culinary thyme are: French or English thyme (most common) Lemon thyme, for a hint of lemon. Caraway thyme, for a nice fragrance of caraway and thyme.
How tall should thyme be?
The plants should grow 6 to 12 inches in height. In the garden, plant thyme near cabbage or tomatoes . If you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary which also likes sunny conditions and has similar watering needs.
Is thyme a perennial?
A low-growing hardy perennial, thyme is a fragrant herb with small, fragrant leaves and thin, woody stems. The culinary varieties are evergreen. Thyme comes in over fifty varieties with different fragrances and flavors. Fresh or English thyme are used most often in cooking.
Can you use thyme stems and leaves together?
If a recipe calls for a “sprig” of thyme, the leaves and stem should be used together, intact. When adding a whole sprig of thyme to soups, stews or other recipes, the leaves usually fall off during cooking and the woody stem can be removed prior to serving.
How to dry thyme?
Dry the harvested thyme sprigs somewhere warm and shady. Hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated area to dry them. You can also dry them by laying them out on a tray and putting them in a food dehydrator. Once the pieces dry out completely, the leaves will easily fall off the stems.
How long does it take for thyme to grow again?
If you do this, the next spring it will flourish again. After three to four years of growth with the same plants, their stalks will become woody and the plant will produce fewer leaves. At this point you may want to start a new batch of seedlings, especially if you cultivate thyme for culinary purposes.
How to keep thyme from gangly?
Once your seedlings take off, the plants will need very little attention to thrive. Thyme doesn’t need a lot of nutrients to survive and too much fertilizer will cause it to lose its flavor and become gangly. Mulch your plants in autumn with organic matter like leaf mold, well-rotted animal manure or compost.
How to keep thyme from rotting?
Weeds will compete for the soil’s nutrients and slow the development of young thyme plants. Control the weeds around seedlings either through weeding or mulching. Mulching with limestone gravel or builder’s sand can improve drainage around the plants and prevent root rot.
How to grow thyme in containers?
If your soil does not appear to drain well, add some compost, sand, or organic material to help improve drainage. Thyme can be planted as a ground cover, around paving stones, or near a wall, as long as the drainage is good. You can also plant it in containers. Maintain a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0.
What is thyme used for?
This article has been viewed 77,244 times. Thyme is an ancient herb used in cooking and gardening. It produces attractive, aromatic foliage and can thrive in almost any climate.
Why are my thyme leaves turning brown?
Check that the soil conditions are between pH 5.5 to 7.0 and that the thyme is not in too much shade. Avoid putting thyme out into full sunshine immediately after being kept under shade or indoors, as this can burn the leaves. Choose a non-windy position, as wind can dry out thyme.
How to grow parsley from the base?
How: Snip your harvest from the base of the plant to encourage more growth. Cut leaves from the outer portions first so your parsley can focus on growing new leaves from the center of the plant. If you remove too many leaves from the wrong part of your plant, your herbs won’t collect enough sunlight to continue growing.
Can you cut thyme stems?
Tip: Thyme can have soft or woody stems. Soft stems are best cut up and thrown into your recipe with the leaves, where as woody stems should be removed. Alternatively, you can tie the wooden stems together and toss the whole bunch in to your recipe – this is a great option if you’re cooking a roast or soup.
Is it time to harvest herbs?
But the weather is turning cooler and the days are getting shorter, and that means one thing: it’s harvest time! There are a few things you should keep in mind when harvesting herbs, no matter what herb you’re harvesting.
