Herb – Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Description

Sage is one of the best know herbs., It is a very fragrant shrub with grey-green leaves and very attractive blue mauve flowers in summer. Sage has an evergreen habit that needs cutting back every year to avoid going straggly. It grows to a height of about 55-60cm (24″). It can be used to fresh or dried for Sage and Onion stuffing for your turkey or added to many meats and fish to add flavour. The fresh leaves can also be chopped over salads and to flavour cheese, or add to a tea to alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat and cold.

Salvia officinalis.
Hardy Perennial
Height: 55cm, Spread 65cm
Pack size: 35 Seeds

Additional Details

When to Sow Sage Seeds
February to May

Where to Sow
Sow seeds under glass 0.5cm (¼”) deep, in small trays of compost and lightly cover the seeds with a sprinkling of compost , and place at a temperature of 15-20°C. Alternatively sow direct outside in April and May into shallow seed drills.

What to do next
Prick out seedlings individually to 7cm (3″) pots, once large enough to handle. Grow on in cooler conditions , then gradually harden off plants in a cold frame before planting out after risk of frost has passed. Transplant to final positions 30cm (12in) apart or into larger containers, or grow a few in pots on a light windowsill all year round. Direct sown seedlings can be thinned to 15cm (6in) apart then lifted and transplanted to final positions once large enough to handle.

Harvest
All the year round

Handy Tip
Add leaves to boiling water as a tasty Tea, reported to soothe sore throats and cold symptoms. Plants require cutting back each year to prevent straggly growth.

Nutritional Values
Sage is an excellent source of fibre, Vitamin A, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and folic acid.