![]() ![]() When growing thyme in containers, fill pots with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix. Or, improve soil texture and nutrition by adding a few inches of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil in with the top layer of existing soil. Mulching with limestone gravel or builder's sand improves drainage and helps prevents root rot. Plant in soil with excellent drainage and a pH of about 7.0. Be sure to choose strong young thyme plants from Bonnie Plants®, the company that has been helping home gardeners succeed for over 100 years. Start from young plants set out in spring after the last frost. Once thyme is established, harvest as needed but avoid pruning more than one-third of the plant at a time.Keep soil moist and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. ![]() For best results, feed regularly with a water-soluble plant food.Before planting in-ground, improve your existing soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.Space thyme plants 12 to 24 inches apart in a very sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0.Plant thyme in spring once chances of frost have passed.The flowers open in spring and summer, sprinkling the plant with tiny, two-lipped blossoms attractive to bees. Thyme is also perfect for containers, either alone or in combination with plants that won't shade it out. Growing thyme provides an anchor in an herb garden in areas where it is evergreen in winter. It even makes a pretty patch of small ground cover. As a special garden treat, put a few along a walkway and between steps, and your footsteps will release its aroma. But when doing this, make sure you’re using all fresh spices or grinding your own - you don’t want one bad apple to ruin your blend.Īnd if you have the time, buying whole spices and grinding them as you need them will make a difference, since whole spices last longer than preground ones.Plant thyme in your herb garden, at the edge of a walk, along a short garden wall, or in containers. You can also try your hand at making spice blends at home. Minimizing moisture, air, heat, and light = maximizing shelf life. And it’s a flavor buzzkill.īut don’t freeze spices, as freezing can add unwanted moisture and condensation. Ever notice how spices can clump up in their jars? That’s due to excess moisture or heat. Think twice before sprinkling them directly over a pan or heat source. Spices like to be below 70 degrees, and they dislike humidity. Glass jars will help spices retain more of their natural oils (where the flavor is!).Īlso, store spices in dark, dry, and cool places. It’s best to store spices in airtight containers (glass or ceramic works best) and keep them away from heat (i.e., the stove) to avoid moisture. Is there anything we can do to extend spice life? Here are some popular herbs and spices and how long they last. This is because ground spices have more surface area, which means they’re likely to oxidize more quickly. Whole spices are good for longer than their ground counterparts. Of course, this also depends on factors like storage, direct sunlight, heat, oxygen, and general use. On average, dried herbs are at their best during their first 1 to 3 years, while dried spices are at their best for up to 4 years (less if they’re ground). Dried herbs are seasonings made from a plant’s leaves. Dried spices are seasonings typically made from a plant’s bark, stem, or roots. So instead of asking how long spices last, we like to ask how long they will taste their best.Ī trip down the spice aisle will present you with dozens of spice and herb options. Unlike meat and dairy products, which have set expiration dates, spices won’t mold, spoil, rot, sour, or “go bad” in a traditional sense unless they’re exposed to excess moisture or something has gone horribly wrong (more on that below). ![]()
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