Thyme drying up from below

[negan]

Last year I killed my thyme by overwatering it (or at least I think so). This year I put it in a raised bed, made sure drainage was ok, and was watering very sparingly. So now I'm wondering: is it under- or overwatering that killed it?

To my disappointment, the

same thing as last year started happening.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I never seem to be able to grow thyme in pots, but when I plant it out it thrives. That led me to research a bit and it said thyme grows naturally where there is poor, gravelly soil on rock. The soil holds little water, but water runs on the rock underneath and it reaches down to it. Can't say it helped me grow thyme in pots. What I have noticed is it seems to quite like being cut for use quite hard

 

[oneeye]

The dying bottom is an indication the soil is swinging from wet to dry for too long. Use a lot of hay mulch with every plant to help keep the root's temperatures and moisture more consistent.