Organic Herb Sage (p)

Sage
salvia officinalis
Approx. 105 seeds per gram

Sage is a herb that has been used for its flavour and medicinal properties since ancient times. The Romans valued it as a sacred herb and it was highly prized by the Chinese. The name Salvia comes from the Latin meaning to cure or to save. It is a perennial shrub with silvery-grey leaves, which are very aromatic, and spikes of purple flowers loved by bees. Some sage varieties are only available as plants like golden, purple and tricolor, here, we offer the common green variety which can be grown from seed. Sage is evergreen and hardy and will grow to a height of 60cm or so. After a few years the plants become very woody and will need replacing.

How to grow:
Sow seeds from March until June in trays of good organic compost. When the seedlings are big enough to handle put them into 8cm pots. Grow on until the plants are about 8cm tall and transplant into the growing site 60cm apart. Sage is a Mediterranean herb and likes well drained soil and full sun. It prefers an alkaline soil. Let the plants establish for their first year and harvest leaves from the second year onward.

Pests and diseases:
Sage can suffer from thrip, caterpillars and mildew. Pick off caterpillars unless you have plenty of sage to spare. To prevent mildew make sure the plants are free draining and in a sunny, airy spot.

How to use:
Pick the leaves as required, sage is very traditional in sausage mixes and sage and onion stuffing. It often accompanies fatty meat. Sage has such an individual flavour that it is best in small quantities. It makes a great herb butter and goes well with cream. It is good partnered with pasta and squash. Medicinally it is antiseptic and anti-fungal. It is used as a mouthwash, a gargle and a disinfectant.