Ideal temperature for sowing seed is 20°C (that's soil temp, not atmospheric temp) and it usually takes about 2 weeks for germination, though may take 30 days or longer. Seeds need light to germinate. May be sown in situ. Sow seeds on the surface and do not cover. Don't overwater them. The soil should be just barely moist. Use a spray mist. I think possibly you might be drowning them.

The soil must be sterilized specific for seed starting. I grow it every year from seed and plant the seedlings in mid May outdoors next to my garden. Rarely do I ever lose any seedlings. I do the same with rosemary which are from primed seeds, as they are harder to germinate. I do cover my pots during germination, but remove the plastic domed lids once they sprout. I start mine about mid March. Right now, I must pick most of it due to light frosts outside. I remove the leaves and place in a small food processor with fresh garlic. These are chopped fine, and then chunks of butter are added, then some olive oil. The mixture is spooned into small sushui molds that have been lined in plastic wrap and then a cover is placed on them. They are then frozen and the portions are cut away from each other through the plastic. I store these in the freezer and use them when roasting chicken, or making garlic bread, as well as a few other recipes.

yeah, it sounds like maybe the fungus Damp-off is killing them... you can try sterilizing the soil and if you have a humidity problem in the winter, or not much air circulation, you can water the seed/lings with cooled strong chamomile tea... love the stuff, kills damp off and other fungi really well... use it on mold and mildew too! :o)

im just wondering??? if thyme is kept in a 65-70 degree envorement and is lightly covered with soil after sowing will it die.

Angelo you might want to start a new thread and give a little more information. Are you talking seeds planted in the ground or plants?

Always water from the bottom. Make sure they get plenty of light, and keep a fan on 24/7. It doesn't have to be a large or expensive fan, just something to help air circulation. This will help to prevent disease. Soil should be moist, but not wet, and your seedlings should be kept dry. Once your seedlings are larger you can water from the top. Seed heavy(10-15 seeds/plug)to get a nice clump. No need to thin. They will not choke themselves out, and you will get a larger plant to transplant into the garden or pot.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden Travels