I would still use some mulch. Mix with sand if you're concerned about it being too water retentive. Maybe try overlapping multiple sheets of newspaper covered with the mulch & weighed down a bit more with large rocks.

The thyme is so slow growing, so you'll just have to keep up with pulling what sprouts every now & then before the weeds go to seed or get too large.

Corrine

They called for frost the last three nights, so I had a very busy week putting it all to bed....Picked and pulled out the last of the cowpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and okra; covered up the pole beans with row covers; planted the onions and garlic; and stripped the pepper plants of their fruit, both red and green. Potted up the last of the cuttings from my flower beds, divided tender grasses, potted them up, and brought them inside, finished dividing the daylilies, and pulled out the worst looking annuals. I was feeling very sad, saying farewell to summer...But, No Frost. Yeah! I knew it was too early, but you have to take it seriously anyway.

We ate our first mess of greens this week, and I made the first pot of soup: a winter only dish. We should have another month yet before the season is truly over, but it feels that way now. I put on long pants and a sweater this morning....Come on, spring! :)

Donnabaskets, where in MS are you located? I would like to communicate with you as I am also in MS. Look forward to hearing from you.