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Sage (Salvia officinalis) is one of the easiestperennial herbsto grow.
The leaves are commonly used fresh or dried in cooking and add an earthy and slightly peppery flavor.
Spikes of blue-purple flowers appear in the summertime.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Sage can be planted in the spring or fall, and it has a moderate growth rate.
you might start planting seeds on the average date of the last spring frost.
Set plants out after the threat of frost has passed.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
it’s possible for you to also start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before then.
Selecting a Planting Site
Your planting site must have well-draining soil and receive lots of sunlight.
Container growth is an option if you dont have a suitable garden site.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Avoid planting sage by cucumbers, as its aroma can actually affect the taste of the cucumbers.
Space sage plants about 1.5 to 2 feet apart.
A support structure shouldnt be necessary.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Soil
Sage likes a sandy or loamy soil with good drainage.
Wet soils can cause rot and be fatal to the plant.A slightly acidic to neutralsoil pHis best.
Water
Sage has moderate moisture needs, along with some drought tolerance.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy for young plants.
Water established plants when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dries out.
Avoid getting the leaves wet when you water, as that can cause them to mildew.
Established plants can withstand some frost, but temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit are best.
Sage likes a moderate humidity level.
Fertilizer
Sage plants arent heavy feeders, and too much fertilizer can result in weaker flavor.
you could use an organic fertilizer for edible plants in the spring, or simply work somecompostinto the soil.
They include:
Sage vs. Marjoram
Both sage and marjoram are members of the mint family.
And marjoram provides a very similar flavor to sage in recipes, though it tends to be milder.
However, the plants differ quite a bit in appearance.
Marjoram leaves also are smooth, unlike sages fuzzy texture.
Harvesting Sage
It takes around 75 days from planting seeds to getharvestable sage leaves.
For the best flavor, harvest before the plant flowers for the season.
Dont take off more than a third of the plant at one time.
Aim to use the leaves right away when fresh, or dry them for later use.
Once the leaves are brittle, strip them from the stem to store in an airtight container.
The flavor will be more intense if you dry whole leaves and crumble them as needed.
you could easily move pots as needed to ensure proper sunlight exposure.
Acontainerthats at least 8 inches deep with a similar width is best.
Unglazed clay is a good material, as it will allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
The container also should have drainage holes.
Pruning can help combat this.
As growth begins in the spring, prune out the oldest woody stems to encourage new growth.
Propagating Sage
Sage can be propagated by stem cuttings.
The best time to take cuttings is in the spring as active growth picks up.
Plant seeds only about 1/8 inch deep in moist garden soil or seed-starting mix.
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy.
It can take up to six weeks for germination to occur.
Potting and Repotting Sage
When potting sage, use a quality well-drainingpotting mix.
Depending on the size of container you start with, you might not have to repot.
Then, water to settle the soil.
Overwintering
To protect sage plants over the winter, lightly mulch around them.
Also, verify theyre not in the direct path of harsh winds.
you might bring container plants indoors and place them by your brightest window.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Sage doesnt have any major pest or disease issues.
Sage is an easy herb to grow as long as you have ample sunlight and well-draining soil.
Sage (Salvia sp.
Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks.
