Your Weekly Electronic Gardening Guide
Practical Horticulture for Busy People.
Sage
About This Plant...
Family:Labiatae
Genus and species:Salvia officinalis
Plant type:perennial
Height and width:12-30 inches high; 24 inches wide
Location and soil:sun; rich, well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry soil; will grow indoors
Uses:fresh or dried leaves in soups, stews, and sauces; meat recipes; bees like flowers
Propagation methods:seeds, division, cuttings, and layering
Indoor Sowing...
Time needed to reach transplant size:6-10 weeks
When to transplant to garden:1-2 weeks before last spring frost
Outdoor Sowing...
When to sow outdoors:1-2 weeks before last spring frost
Other Sowing Guidelines...
Approx. germination time:21 days
Germination temp.:60-70 degrees F.
Days to maturity:75 days
Transplanting Guidelines...
Spacing between plants:24-30 inches
Spacing between rows:24 inches
Growing On...
Pests:slugs, spittlebugs, spider mites
Diseases:root rot, wilt
Harvest:pick fresh leaves as needed; for drying, cut branches before plant flowers, bunch them together, and hang them upside down in a warm, airy place, then remove leaves and store in an airtight jar
Growing tips:well-drained soil is a must; many varieties available, such as purple, golden, variegated, and tricolor