We tend to ignore the gap between the pavers, which becomes a breeding ground for weeds. Many homeowners look for options to fill the gap because the gaps between stony pavers look awkward and unimpressive. Planting creeping thyme between pavers is indeed an amazing way to fill the gap and also to create a beautiful landscape in the yard. Creeping thyme serves multiple purposes, including choking weeds and adding a fresh aroma when crushed accidentally. In this blog, we discuss "how to plant creeping thyme between pavers".
Benefits of Planting Creeping Thyme Between Pavers
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Planting creeping thyme between pavers helps in controlling the unwanted weeds.
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It smells amazing and produces pink or purple bell-shaped flowers in the summer.
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Another advantage of growing creeping thyme is that it grows only a few inches tall, so it doesn't hamper the beauty of pavers.
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It requires little maintenance.
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It can grow in rocky or sandy soil. It's a drought-resistant plant.
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It attracts butterflies, bees, and pollinators to your garden.
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It is easy to grow, either using seeds or nursery-grown potted plants.
Tips to Grow Creeping Thyme
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Make sure there is enough gap in the pavers. When using creeping thyme plants, keep a minimum distance of 6 inches to give enough space to bury the roots in the soil.
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The area where thyme is planted gets enough sunlight. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
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Use a well-drained soil to grow the plant.
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Remove weeds from the soil and add compost for better drainage.
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Keep watering the newly grown seed until it germinates. It may take a few weeks for the seed to germinate.
How to Grow Creeping Thyme Between Pavers?
Buy Seeds
The first step is to buy seed packets from the garden centers if you plan to grow the plant from seeds. Creeping thyme can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or nursery-grown potted plants.
Ways to Grow Creeping Thyme From Nursery-Grown Potted Plants
It's a simple process to grow creeping thyme from the potted plant. All you have to do is gently remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole dug in the paver. Then, fill the soil around the newly planted thyme and water it.
Creeping Thyme Propagation From Home Home-Grown Plant
Another way to grow the plant is to use the homegrown plant. Using a sharp spade, cut a section of the plant that has roots and leaves. Then, plant it in your garden.
| Some Tips | The best weather to grow creeping thyme is fall or winter because the plant can bear the stress of transplantation during winter and fall. |
Care Tips for Creeping Thyme
Balanced Watering
Proper water is key to the robust growth of any plant. Creeping thyme also needs balanced watering. Creeping thyme planted in fall needs watering only when it is planted or during the growing season. Whereas, those planted in summer require watering once or twice a week in the first season.
Less Mulching
If you plan to use organic mulch such as shredded leaves or woodchips, don't forget to remove material away from the plant. If you live in a humid or wet area, take extra care to prevent rotting of creeping thyme due to moisture. It's advisable to mulch around the base of the plant with pea gravel to act as a barrier between the foliage and wet soil.
Light Pruning
Prune the plant only when you notice a large gray section or when you see a doughnut-shaped plant that is dead in the center and green on the outside. Always use a sharp and clean pruner to prune thyme to about 2 inches in height. If you notice any dead leaves, gray leaves, or dead stems, remove them.
How to Care for the Plant?
Once the plant is grown and the gaps in the pavers are filled, trim the tops to prevent the thyme from getting leggy. Trim the plant using scissors for better precision and to prevent it from spreading around the pavers.
Conclusion
Planting creeping thyme between pavers is a functional and stunning way to prevent weeds and create a mesmerising landscape. It's an easy, low-investment, and low-maintenance idea to enhance the look of the pavers in the yard.