Sage and Thyme

10 years ago

Is it unusual for thyme and sage to start flowering in April? ...in Oklahoma?

These are herbs I started last spring indoors and then planted outside. The poor little things nearly drowned in May and I didn't think they would make it. They miraculously came back. So...they were fairly vibrant all winter long and now they are starting to flower. What does that mean exactly and should I just leave them alone? I do use them for cooking and in tinctures/vinegars, etc.

Featured Answer

Okiedawn OK Zone 7

10 years ago

It is not unusual for them to bloom in April or May (and occasionally in March) in southern Oklahoma. I don't know exactly when they bloom in your part of OK.

I try to harvest and use perennial herbs before they bloom, but some years they bloom so early that I let them bloom, then cut them back afterwards and harvest from the new growth that appears after they've been cut back. In general, in spring, you can cut herbs back by about 1/3 before they bloom in order to encourage vigorous new growth. If they bloom early and catch you by surprise, you can either go ahead and cut them back to halt the blooming or wait for their bloom period to wind down and then cut them back. I've done it both ways in past years.

Because the winter of 2015-16 basically was the winter that wasn't wintery, some of my herbs started blooming jn February, which is earlier than usual. There's not much you can do in a year like that except let them bloom, cut them back after they're through blooming, and carry on. They'll make plenty of new growth later on.

Even annual herbs are acting flakey this year. I have new basil plants that aren't even a foot tall yet, and some of them were starting to form flower buds. When I noticed that this week, I promptly pinched off the buds. Then, I went back a couple of hours later with scissors and cut back the plants by a third to encourage leafy growth. It must be the days in the upper 80s that have been messing with them. It is not normal for young basil plants to try to flower so early. My rosemary and catmint have been in bloom on and off for a couple of months, lemon balm hasn't bloomed yet but likely will bloom in late April or early May and the pineapple sage has been blooming for almost a month. That's too early for it, but what can a gardener do? We warmed up too early this year and it does affect plant behavior.

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Comments (6)

Melissa
9 years ago
HJ, do you still make tinctures? DH and I are thinking of starting to make some and I came across this thread. I have started to barely scratch the surface of learning about how to make them, but wondered what input you would have to add. Thanks in advance.
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wotanhl
9 years ago
I am in Norman and our sage bloomed very early this year (beginning of April). I have 4 Thai Basel plants that have gone to seed even though they are about 12" high! No flowers on the Thyme, but these I planted late with plants from the Wally which may explain it
hazelinok
Original Author
9 years ago
Melissa, I do make tinctures/vinegars still. I haven't made as many in the past year due to our home remodel and other things.

I recommend a couple of books by Rosemary Gladstar. I have her "beginners" book and also one for women. The beginner one would be verY useful for you, I think. It's basic and a good place to start. When I get back from vacation I can talk to you more about it.

My sage died during the one cold snap in December. Thyme is still going strong.
Melissa
9 years ago
Awesome, HJ!! I would like that and appreciate it. Have a great vacation!! :)
hazelinok
Original Author
9 years ago
Melissa, sorry it's taken so long to get back to this. Although I've posted a little here on the forum over the past couple of days, I feel like my posts have been rambly and dumb.

Really tinctures are simple to make. I'm sure there are some people who are very scientific with it by being super attentive to calculations and measuring stuff. That method is called the standard method (I think). The other method (the one I use) is called the traditional method. Basically, you just put your choice of herbs in a jar, cover with a solvent and add 2 or 3 inches, cap, and let it set for 4 to 6 weeks, then strain and bottle.

Alcohol, vinegar, and vegetable glycerin can be used as a solvent. Normally I use 80 to 100 proof vodka (organic vodka can be purchased if you wish) because it's the right ratio of alcohol and water. Tinctures made with alcohol are very potent and will store for ages. They are not too tasty though--they taste like medicine.

Vegetable glycerin is sweet. People who prefer to not use alcohol for whatever reason could use this. Because it's sweet and non alcoholic, it's good for children too. Make sure it's 100% vegetable glycerin. Normally, I use 2 part glycerin to 1 part water when using this solvent. (I think that is what Rosemary does, so I just copied her method...if I remember correctly).

I like to use apple cider vinegar for certain things like Fire Cider or Four Thieves vinegars. From what I understand, vinegar tinctures aren't as potent as alcohol, but because they are alcohol-free, they are good for tonics. I like to take a little Fire Cider everyday. And Four Thieves when people around me are sick. I find them to be tasty especially if you add a bit of honey (after straining). Also, I store these in the refrigerator...not sure if they need to be or if I just find them tastier that way. I like to put them on salads and vegetables.

Other than the vinegars I already mentioned, some of my favorite tinctures are a sleep tincture made with valerian root. This root really works! It smells, so be warned. Mine is double bagged and in a sealed glass jar! haha. However, once it's tinctured it doesn't taste or smell bad. Yarrow is a favorite too. And I have enough basil tincture to last a life time.

Let's see... I make a "cooling liver" one for Tom. (Rosemary's recipe) I make it with glycerin, burdock root, dandelion root, and cinnamon bark. It tastes nice.

Also, a lemon balm one using glycerin. It's calming and good for kids.

And some others that aren't coming to mind right now.

I've mostly used dried herbs in the alcoholic tinctures and fresh herbs for the vinegars.

I hope that is helpful.