Sage, Kitchen Garden Herb Salvia - 30 Organic Seeds

Where To Grow Sage:  Sage will grow almost anywhere as long as it is in full sun for a good part of the day. What sage does not like is soil that is moist all the time - it is a native of Mediterranean areas.

Sowing:                   Sow indoors in March, or in April to May outside.

Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Press the seeds lightly into the compost but do not cover, as they need light to germinate. They will germinate in 10-14 days

Growing:

Seedlings should be ready to transplant in six to eight weeks. Avoid keeping the medium too moist. Transplant to 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days after all risk of frost.

Container Growing Sage:

Simplicity itself – but remember to put a good layer of stones at the bottom for drainage and keep the plant on the dry side throughout its life. A feed every month with general purpose liquid plant food will be enough. Sage can be grown indoors as long as it is placed on a sunny windowsill - it will stand direct sunlight with no problems.

Care of Sage: 

Work in a couple of handfuls of bonemeal to the surrounding soil at the beginning and end of each summer. After the flowers die down, prune the plant to about half its size. Other than that, leave it to fend for itself.

One word of warning - in dry spells, resist the temptation to water, sage prefers dry sunny conditions. Monitor plant for root rot, if in very wet soils.

Harvesting Sage: 

For everyday use simply cut off the leaves with scissors or pinch off with your fingers as and when required. Sage is best used fresh, although leaves frozen in a plastic bag are an excellent alternative..

For drying large amounts of leaves, wait until after the plants have grown back after pruning blooms. Wash the plants with a fine spray of water the night before; and the next morning, when the dew has dried, cut stems as long as possible without cutting into old wood.

Hang these in bunches of three of four in a dark, dry, clean area. As soon as they are crispy dry, strip the leaves (whole, if possible) and seal them in an airtight container placed out of direct light.

Dried sage lasts almost indefinitely if stored in an airtight bottle in a dry place out of sunlight --at least until spring brings fresh, tender leaves again.

Companion Plants:

Sage is the companion plant to Cabbage, Carrots and Rosemary. It repels Cabbage Butterfly, Bean Beetle and Carrot Fly.

Herb meanings

Sage - longevity, wisdom and health - from Latin 'salvere' - to save, the Greeks used this healing herb for many ailments, including snakebites.