Thyme

by Barbara Dean

​Thyme is a perennial shrub with thin woody base and square stems. Lilac or white color flowers appear in summer. I had this planted in the garden and never used it. You know why? I did not know what it was. When I planted it I used markers that eventually got lost. I learned to write on rocks (at a MGA meeting) and this method works. I keep a marker in my pocket and retrace the writing when I weed.  I began picking the leaves and using them with just about any meat I roast. What a wonderful flavor from this herb. This herb has vitamins and antioxidants as well. You will enjoy the fragrance coming from the oven.

There are many varieties of thyme. Thymus serpyllum is a creeping plant. This creeper is smaller than the plant in my garden. Thyme is a native of Europe and naturalized in North America. However, thyme’s Greek name thymon is thought to be derived from a Greek word meaning “to fumigate” or meaning courage. In both ancient and medieval times, the plant was thought to inspire courage. In the Middle Ages, sleeping on a pillow stuffed with thyme leaves was recommended if afflicted with melancholy or epilepsy.

​I like this herb so much I will try to grow some in a container and keep it in for the winter. Hopefully, the sparse Indiana sunlight will be enough for this wonderful plant to flourish and I will have fresh leaves at my fingertips all winter long. Now is the time to be looking for different types of Thyme to plant in a container. I noticed some nice plants at several stores when I browsed for garden veggies. Soon one of these will be on my deck growing in a container getting ready for a winter home on my back porch.

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