Lean and dry
Like rosemary, thyme wants full sun and gritty, well-drained soil. Rich, wet soil is the only thing that kills it.
A tiny, tough perennial that asks for almost nothing β thyme is drought-proof, evergreen in mild climates, and endlessly useful.

Like rosemary, thyme wants full sun and gritty, well-drained soil. Rich, wet soil is the only thing that kills it.
A Mediterranean native β it prefers to dry out. Once established it's about as low-maintenance as a plant gets.
Take sprigs as you need them; a light trim after flowering keeps it compact and stops it going woody.
Hardy in most climates and evergreen in mild ones β one plant gives you flavour year-round, for years.
For herbs plus the whole backyard food plan, The most complete beginner's manual we've found is The Self-Sufficient Backyard β Ron & Johanna Melchiore's 40 years off-grid distilled into food, water, power and 75+ DIY projects. Our honest take:
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