Thyme Care Guide

Thyme thrives in poor, rocky, alkaline soil. Although it can grow in a range of soils, it is ironic that the richer the soil, the less flavorful the thyme. Thyme must have, above all, full sun and good drainage. Allow fifteen inches between plants. Because of its low, creeping habit, thyme is perfect planted between flagstones in a pathway, at the edge of a garden or in a rock garden.

LEMON THYME COOKIES
Recipe by Marianne Mittwede Ritchie

1 cup butter
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups unbleached flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoons salt
3 - 4 tablespoons coarsely chopped lemon thyme leaves
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
Combine butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar using an electric mixer until well blended. Beat in eggs until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, salt, lemon thyme and grated lemon peel. Mix well. Put remaining sugar (1/4 cup) into a small bowl. Shape dough into walnut sized balls. Drop in sugar and roll. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until edges begin to turn brown, Makes about 5 dozen.