Sowing & Growing

Sow indoors in March or outdoors from April to May. Sow seeds on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Gently press the seeds into the compost without covering, as they require light for germination. Expect germination in 10 to 14 days.

Transplant seedlings after six to eight weeks. Avoid overly moist conditions. Transplant to 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days after the risk of frost has passed.

For container growing sage, ensure proper drainage with a layer of stones at the container’s bottom. Keep the plant on the drier side throughout its life. Monthly feeding with general-purpose liquid plant food is sufficient. Sage can thrive indoors on a sunny windowsill and tolerates direct sunlight.

In terms of care, add bonemeal to the surrounding soil at the beginning and end of each summer. After flowering, prune the plant to about half its size. Sage generally requires minimal care, but avoid watering in dry spells as it prefers dry, sunny conditions. Monitor for root rot in very wet soils.

For harvesting sage, cut off leaves with scissors or pinch them off as needed for daily use. Sage is best used fresh, but freezing leaves in a plastic bag is a good alternative. To dry large amounts of leaves, wait until the plants have regrown after pruning blooms. Wash the plants the night before harvesting and cut stems in the morning when dew has dried. Hang bunches in a dark, dry area. Once crispy dry, strip the leaves and store them in an airtight container away from direct light. Dried sage lasts almost indefinitely in a dry, dark place until fresh leaves emerge in spring.