You have great info on planting ground cover, but I'd like info on seeding it. I'm considering seeding a substitute lawn of THYMUS PRAECOX RED CREEPING THYME. -Is seeding as successful as planting? -How do I calculate how much seed for a 1K sf area? -Do I mix in a soil amendment first? -If so, which is preferable? -How much seed per square foot? -What do I put on top of seed? -Do birds and squirrels dig up the seeds? -Time is not an issue, cost is, but how long should it take to manifest?
There are downsides to putting in a thyme lawn. It can be expensive. When you are planting plugs of thyme 6 to 12 inches apart, you can burn up a lot of cash fast. Most sources recommend planting smaller areas. If you have a large yard you might want to consider planting only part of it in thyme to start. You can always go back and expand your thyme planting another season.
Hi, I have bought 50 1 litre pots of creeping thyme to plant spaced out so they spread and create a lawn alternative, I know this is going to take at least a year to get coverage of the space. I think I know the answer is no but I wanted to check; can I sow wild flower seeds in the space at the same time to create a temporary fill while the thyme takes and starts to spread?
No. It will likely overtake and kill the Thyme. This article will help you to grow them as a lawn alternative:
Does creeping thyme deter mosquitoes?
No. The touted mosquito repelling plants must have the oil from the crushed leaves rubbed on your skin to aid as a repellent.
Your best bet is to use a product containing DEET as a repellent or completely cover your skin with clothing.
Creeping lemon thyme has some of the oil that can aid as a repellent but there again, you'd have to rub the oil on your skin.
I have a break in a stone garden border because of tree root that intersects the stone border. I did not want to damage the root but thought I could plant creeping thyme to fill in the gap. Will the thyme invade my lawn ?
It probably will invade your lawn eventually. It tends to crawl over and under barriers if it's healthy. The upside is that it mows nicely; some people replace their lawn areas with it. Read about creeping thyme here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm
I recently planted creeping thyme flats on my front lawn with spacing. Some clumps look brown with crunchy leaves. Are they under-watered? We watered 2 times a day and 20 minutes each. We are located in hot climate, 90-100 degree in summer. Is there any way to revive them? They are still very young.
Likely, they are overwatered. Watering should occur, only, after the soil dries thoroughly down to about 2 inches. Creeping Thyme will be somewhat drought tolerant, so care should be taken not to overwater.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm
Do you know if the plants will revive at this point if they are overwatered?
is creeping phlox better than creeping thyme
It depends what you are using it for. Many people use thyme between their pavers and are happy with it. Creeping phlox is more often seen spilling over rock edges for a wonderful spring show.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/creeping-phlox/creeping-phlox-planting.htm
They can do fine just cast out as seeds, but they do best when started from plugs or cuttings. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm