What's Growing
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Sage is an evergreen shrub and is a part of the mint family, Lamiaceae. With long gray-green leaves that possess a soft, velvety texture on woody stems, sage flowers can range from a blue to purple or even white, red, and pink. The shrub can grow to 2 feet tall and its leaves are oval-like in shape and downy.
Harvesting
To ensure that sage leaves continue growing, be sure to leave some leaves on the plant. Younger sage leaves will have a better, fuller flavor. Like other herbs, regularly pruning sage will encourage plant growth. Without proper trimming, sage can become woody and shrubby.
- If harvesting sage for fresh use, pick leaves off as desired.
- If harvesting for drying, cut stems around 6 to 8 inches, bundle together, and store in a sealed container or out to air-dry.
Uses
Sage is often used for cooking as a seasoning for meat, seafood, and other dishes or is consumed as a tea. The herb has a long history of spiritual, cultural, and medicinal use. For example, it was used by the Romans to aid indigestion and treat wounds or sore throats or even improve memory. Indigenous North Americans have used sage as a way to cleanse spaces and promote healing.
