So I have a wonderful little garden on my rooftop. I live in the tropics, so I have a lot of sun year round. I've been very successful at growing basil, rocket, and parsley. But thyme and oregano are giving me a hard time. The problem is that the seeds don't all produce the desired herbs. For every 10 seeds I plant, only one or two produces actual aromatic plants (thyme and oregano), while the rest produce an aroma-less plant with rounded leaves that I cannot identify. Why do I have this problem with thyme and oregano only? The seeds I'm using are from completely different sources, yet they both produce that weird unwanted plant.
It sounds like it may not be your seeds, but rather the soil. Sometimes soil, even soil bought from the store, can have weed seeds in them. I would bake the soil at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes and then let it cool down before using. This will kill any weed seeds that may be in the soil. The other possibility is that the weed seeds are being blown into the pots. You may want to try covering the pots until the seeds germinate just to make sure nothing gets blown in.
How, when, and what kind of thyme can you plant between the pavers of a flagstone patio? I am very anxious to get started.
Creeping thyme is great for tucking between pavers. This can be
done in spring (or fall in warmer areas). Simply plant them between
the stones, water, and enjoy.
The following article should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/flagstone-walks-path-to-a-beautiful-landscape.htm
My father recently passed away and kept a beautiful garden of all types of herbs. We would like to continue to take care of the garden but need some advice. The herbs include: Thyme, Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Rosemary, and Maria Louise. The herbs are planted in the ground and we live in Vancouver, BC, Canada where we get a lot of rain and our winters are pretty mild. It is now March and nothing was done to the herbs since last fall. Should we cut the herbs back? Should we fertilize?
I am sorry to hear about your father. Fortunately, herbs are pretty care free once established, as long as you harvest them regularly.
These articles will help you with their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/tips-for-growing-thyme-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/mint/how-to-grow-mint-plants-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/growing-rosemary-plants-rosemary-plant-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemon-verbena/tips-for-growing-lemon-verbena-herb-in-the-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemon-balm/growing-lemon-balm.htm
I would give them a little nitrogen rich fertilizer in the spring (not much or it ruins the flavor), and they should be fine after that.
My thyme is very strong and hearty, and some of the plants have pretty little lavender flowers at the tops. Do the flowers hurt the herb? Do I need to cut the tops and the flowers off to make sure the thyme is usable for cooking, or can I just leave the flowers and still use the herbs?
Although some people leave them be, as the flowers do not harm plants in any way, they are generally removed. At the first sign of flowering, prune the flowers off to encourage fresh stems and foliage for use in the kitchen. This artilce will help as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/tips-for-growing-thyme-in-your-garden.htm
When you start thyme, do you plant seeds single or multiple seeds together when you pre start them indoors?
Either is fine. If you plant them as a group, when they get to be big enough to be handled, they will need to be separated or thinned out.
How do I find seeds on a thyme plant?
Thyme seeds are hard to germinate and can take a long time to sprout. But if you still want to give it a go, then cut the ripening tops (flowers) from the plant and gently give them a shake to collect the seeds. Spread them in a warm, airy room to finish drying prior to planting.
Is it ok to grow thyme in pots, and what is the best food to give it?
Yes, you can grow it in containers. When it comes to herbs, you will get the best flavor if you do not fertilize them.