How is thyme planting in open ground and boxes
Planting thyme (thyme) is a simple procedure that even an inexperienced florist can handle. To grow a beautiful and healthy plant, you need to follow some tips and rules. How to plant thyme correctly, and where it is best to do it, can be found in the article below.
Plant feature
This plant belongs to the group of low, ground cover crops. Knowing where to plant thyme and how to properly care for it, you can grow a herb with an incredibly beautiful smell.
In order for the thyme to produce as much greenery as possible, it must be cut frequently.
In nature, there are about 400 species of this plant. All of them are undersized perennials. The maximum height of the bush is within 35 centimeters.
The main types of thyme:
- ordinary;
- creeping;
- lemon-smelling;
- vegetable honey.
The stems of all species are dense, brown in color. They are abundantly covered with leaves, the color of which can be different. Depending on the variety, the plates take on different shapes. The flowers are small. They form small inflorescences that can acquire a different shade. The first buds appear in June. The flowering process lasts until the end of August.
Description of common thyme
The variety is widespread almost throughout the entire territory of our country. The cultivation of common thyme is very simple, which gave it special popularity.
This is a perennial shrub that has a huge amount of essential oils and other beneficial trace elements such as tannins, phenol, fatty acids. The plant has a spicy taste.
A distinctive feature of the species are small lanceolate leaves. They are dark green on both sides. The buds are small. When loose, they acquire a pale lilac tone.
A more delicate scent is found not in the leaves, but in the flowers.
Grow thyme in the garden in a well-lit area. This species does not react well to shade and partial shade, so if you want to observe a beautiful bush, you need to adhere to this condition.
Description of creeping thyme
Because of its unusual appearance, this species is often called Bogorodskaya grass. It grows in the form of a shrub, the stems of which are creeping. Bare shoots. On their surface, like other species, there are no leaves. Straight branches extend from each of them, the length of which does not exceed 15 centimeters.
Before planting creeping thyme, you need to prepare the soil. It should be light and nutritious.
Deciduous shoots are small. They can be oblong or oval. It blooms with a purple-pink tint. In place of the buds, fruits are formed in the form of four grains. Seeds are harvested in September, and green mass in August. Only the tops of the shoots are used as a seasoning. They should only be cut with a sharp knife or sickle. To prevent the workpieces from losing their qualities, they should be dried in the shade at a temperature of about 350 FROM.
In nature, creeping thyme grows on slopes, hills, near roads. It can often be seen in dry pine areas and among bushes.
In order to grow creeping thyme on the site, you need to know when to plant it. After all, not only the appearance of the bush depends on this, but also the abundance of its flowering.
Description of lemon-scented thyme
This is a hybrid species that needs special care. Lemon-smelling thyme does not like low air temperatures, therefore, requires shelter before the onset of cold weather.
The plant grows in the form of a beautiful bush. The length of the shoots does not exceed 30 centimeters. Leaves are rounded and rather small, shiny. A distinctive feature of the species is the lemon scent, which appears during the flowering period and when deciduous plates are broken.
Many gardeners use it to create an unusual landscape design... You can achieve what you want on your site due to the fact that the bushes branch well and need to be trimmed. This allows you to create beautiful living figurines that cannot be compared to ceramic statues and other artificial elements.
It is very simple and easy to care for and propagate lemon thyme. To grow a young plant, you can use cuttings, seeds or separate parts of the bushes along with the roots. The herb is taken very quickly. Just a few weeks and you can observe the active growth of new shoots.
Description of thyme vegetable honey
This type of thyme is in great demand among gardeners and amateurs. The stems of the vegetable thyme are creeping. They can grow up to 25 centimeters in length. The plant is distinguished by its leaves, which, on the one hand, are dark green, and on the other, purple-grayish. The plates are small, rounded.
With proper cultivation of thyme honey, flowering can be observed several months after planting. When opened, the buds have a light pink tint. The flowers are collected in unusual inflorescences, which are located in the apical part of the stem.
This is the most productive variety. You can collect about 50 grams of seasoning from one bush. The leaves have an incredibly pleasant aroma with a slight bitter taste. This type of thyme is mainly used for cooking various dishes. Also, green shoots are put in a jar for conservation.
Sowing seeds in open ground
Thyme does not like dark areas and this must be taken into account when planting it. The plant should be grown only in well-lit areas, near which there are no trees and buildings. With the right placement, you can make the site look more stylish and modern.
The land for planting thyme should have a minimum acidity. Failure to comply with this rule can harm the plant.
Seed sowing stages:
- Before planting thyme, you need to properly prepare the soil. It is best to plant the grains in loose soil. The soil should be air permeable and not retain moisture. Before planting, the ground should be carefully dug up. The first treatment should be carried out in September or October, and the second - just before sowing. Remove all weeds and roots from the ground that remain from them. The loosened soil must be fertilized. It is best to add humus or compost. Also, do not forget about preparations based on phosphorus and potassium. Before the second treatment in early spring, a small amount should be added urea... The optimal volume is 20 grams per liter of clean water. Dig up the treated soil again and let stand for a day. Planting the seeds can begin after 24 hours.
- Sowing grains in open ground is necessary after the warmth comes. If, according to the weather forecast, frosts are foreseen, then sowing should be postponed for several days. Small rows need to be done on the prepared soil. They should be 35 centimeters apart.It is imperative to observe this figure, since adult bushes are able to grow.
- Put the grains in the prepared holes, and sprinkle with river sand on top. It has a lot of minerals that the plant needs. To make the grains germinate faster, cover the bed with polyethylene.
If you plant the seeds of thyme correctly and follow the care, then the first shoots can be observed in two weeks. Those whose seeds have sprouted densely, then they will need to be thinned out, leaving the most beautiful, large and strong ones. Also, young plants can be moved to another place so that they can develop well.
Planting thyme for seedlings
In order for the plant to bloom in the same year, it is necessary to sow grains in February. To do this, you will need to purchase a substrate for cactus... This is the best option for this type of plant. You can buy land at any flower shop.
Seedling propagation is the most reliable. This is due to the fact that the seeds of thyme are tough, and the young shoots are very thin.
To plant thyme on seedlings, you need to use a container, the depth of which will be within 8 centimeters. A good drainage layer will need to be laid on the bottom of the container. To do this, you can use expanded clay, crushed red brick or slate. Its minimum layer should be about 1 centimeter, and the maximum 3 centimeters.
Put a ball of soil on top of the drainage and tamp it well. Then spill the soil with clean water. It is recommended to use a spray bottle for this. Spread the grains on top and cover them with sand. Cover the container with plastic or glass to create a mini-greenhouse. To prevent dangerous bacteria and mold from developing on the soil surface, open the structure for 15 minutes every day. The first shoots are observed in the second or third week after sowing.
Growing thyme seedlings involves not only proper watering, but also lighting... A cooler but well-lit area is the best place to sprout. So that the seedlings do not receive a "shock", it is not necessary to remove the film abruptly. Plants need to be hardened. To do this, open the thyme every day. The first times he should be in the fresh air for no more than two hours. Then every day you need to gradually increase the time. After the appearance of two full-fledged leaves, you can pick. Planting in open ground is done after 2-2.5 months.
Reproduction by dividing the bush and cuttings
Vegetative methods are quite popular. To grow a young and healthy plant, you need to divide the bush no more than once every three years. To do this, you need to remove the culture from the soil and separate the root system into equal parts and untangle the young shoots. Planting should be done immediately. In order for the bushes to quickly take root in a new place, they will need to be covered with a jar or other transparent container on top.
The "cuttings" method is used for small varieties. Shoots should be separated in the spring. For rooting, you need to use a container of sand. Cover the box with foil on top and put in a warm place. It will take about 20 days for the cuttings to take root. Transplant thyme into open ground a month after the roots appear.
Caring for thyme in the garden
Despite the fact that this plant is unpretentious in care, all such rules will need to be followed. An important condition for growing thyme in the garden is frequent weeding. Availability weeds can negatively affect the growth of the bush. Therefore, in order for the plant to develop well, the soil around and near should be cultivated once a week. You can also lay a layer of mulch. This additionally ensures the required moisture level and temperature of the top layer.
Proper spring thyme care consists of moderate irrigation. Watering is necessary only if the ground is very dry.
Irrigation.An important point in growing thyme in the open field is not only planting and care, but also watering. Since the plant is drought-resistant, waterlogged soil is destructive for it. Stagnant moisture can lead to root rot and the development of various bacteria. You need to irrigate the grass only with well-settled water. It is best to use a rainwater.
Watering the plant is necessary when absolutely necessary. This should be done in case of severe drought and before bud formation.
Fertilizer. If you plant the plant correctly and fertilize the soil with humus, then during the first year of the life of the bush, you don't need to think about feeding. The preparations should be applied in the spring or in the first month of summer. For this procedure, you can use any liquid mineral fertilizer. It is not recommended to use granular mixtures.
Pruning. To form beautiful bushes, shoots should be removed periodically. This should be done two or three times a season. The first procedure is carried out after winter. Before pruning the thyme in the spring, take a good look at the bush. Only young shoots need to be cut. The next procedure is carried out immediately after flowering. In this case, the shoots are removed to the lignified part. Thanks to this, the bush will have a beautiful shape, as well as acquire density and solidity.
Pest control
Despite the fact that thyme is weakly affected by diseases, there are still various infections and insects that can harm the plant.
The main problems faced by thyme:
- aphid;
- sandy linger;
- meadow moth.
Often, improper care of the plant leads to the appearance of these insects. Weeds and untimely watering are the main causes of disease. To prevent the development of the meadow moth, you should constantly monitor that weeds do not appear around the bushes. But if, nevertheless, the leaves and stems have enveloped such pests, then the best option would be to treat the plant with the drug "Decis".
As for the sandy sludge, it affects the ground part of the bush. To destroy such insects, you need to use baits that will be pre-treated with pesticides. For aphids, drugs called "Antitlin" or "Biotlin" are considered a good option.
In addition to the above insects, the weevil occasionally harms the plant. It feeds only on buds and flowers. This insect also lays larvae in the inflorescences of thyme. It is easy to see the presence of a weevil. To do this, it will be enough to take a good look at the bush.
In addition to insects, the plant may have other problems. They are often associated with improper care. The main reason is excess moisture. First of all, the roots suffer from this. They start to rot, and if nothing is done, the grass will wither and shed its leaves.
Thyme is a unique culture that is gaining more and more popularity among summer residents and professionals every year. In order to grow thyme on your site, you must adhere to the rules for planting and caring for it. Timely watering and the right choice of place are the key to a healthy and incredibly beautiful bush.
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