How to grow Sage

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Sage with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant seedlings or transplants in mid-spring after the last frost, or in early autumn in mild climates. Sage can also be sown directly in spring once soil is warm.

🌰 How to plant

1. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and amend with grit or sand if drainage is poor.
2. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and plant at the same depth it was growing.
3. Water gently to settle soil, then allow the plant to dry out between waterings.
4. Mulch lightly around the base to suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the stem.

💧 Care

• Pinch back young growth regularly to encourage a bushy, compact shape.
• Prune hard in late spring or early summer to rejuvenate old, woody plants.
• Water sparingly; sage is drought-tolerant once established and suffers in wet conditions.
• Divide plants every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigor and prevent woody decline.
• Remove any damaged or discolored leaves to keep the plant healthy.

🧺 Harvest

Pinch or cut leaves and tender stems any time the plant is actively growing; harvest most heavily in mid-summer before flowering. Cut no more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure regrowth.

🐛 Common problems

Root rot: Improve drainage immediately by repotting or amending soil, reduce watering, and remove affected stems.

Powdery mildew: Increase air circulation, reduce overhead watering, and remove affected leaves; spray with sulfur if severe.

Spider mites: Spray foliage with water to dislodge mites, or use neem oil on severe infestations.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Tomatoes

⚠️ Keep apart from: Basil, Fennel

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