Super Sage : The Green Super Herb

Guest blog by Katrina & Clayton

Sage (Salvia officinalis), a perennial herb known for its culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, thrives even in challenging climates. With its aromatic leaves, sage is a great addition to Scottish gardens, where its hardiness and resilience can shine. 

Growing Sage in Scotland

Sage is a hardy, drought tolerant herb that adapts well to various conditions, making it an excellent choice for the Scottish climate. Sage offers multiple edible parts, making it a versatile herb.

Leaves: Sage leaves are the primary edible part, used fresh or dried. They add a savoury, earthy flavour to soups, stews and stuffings. Fresh sage leaves can be used as a garnish for soups, stews, and roasted dishes. They add a subtle aroma and visual appeal.

Flowers: Sage flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish for salads, desserts, or drinks.Their mild flavour adds a decorative touch without overpowering dishes.

Medicinal Uses: Sage has traditional uses in herbal teas for soothing sore throats and aiding digestion. Brew sage tea by steeping fresh or dried leaves in hot water to soothe a sore throat, improve digestion, or simply relax.

Choosing Varieties

Hardiness: Sage tolerates frost and cold winters but prefers a sunny, sheltered location to thrive in Scotland’s temperate environment. The lifespan of a perennial sage can live for several years, though it benefits from rejuvenation every 3-4 years.Sage grows as a small, woody shrub with velvety, gray/green leaves and purple or blue flowers that attract pollinators.

Common Sage: Ideal for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Purple Sage: A decorative variety with purple leaves, well suited for ornamental gardens.

Tricolor Sage: Features variegated green, white, and pink leaves for added visual appeal.

Planting Sage

Sage can be planted in spring or early autumn, avoiding extreme heat or frost. Spring planting is preferred for better establishment before winter.

Choose a Location: Select a spot with full sun, although sage can tolerate partial shade in Scotland. Ensure the site is sheltered from strong winds.

Soil Preparation: Sage thrives in well draining soil. Incorporate sand or grit if your soil is heavy. Test the soil pH; sage prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.5).

Planting Method:

For seeds, sow directly into prepared soil, covering lightly with 1 cm of soil. For transplants, dig a hole large enough for the root ball, place the plant, and backfill with soil. Space plants 30-60 cm apart to allow airflow and reduce competition.

Pruning Sage

Pruning is essential for maintaining sage’s shape, promoting new growth, and preventing woodiness. Prune sage in early spring to remove dead or damaged growth. Lightly trim during the growing season to encourage bushy growth and harvest fresh leaves. Avoid heavy pruning in late Autumn, as this can leave the plant vulnerable during Winter.

How to Prune: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Remove woody stems, cutting back to healthy growth. Trim no more than one third of the plant at a time to avoid stress.

Dividing Sage

Dividing sage helps rejuvenate older plants and propagate new ones. Divide sage every 3-4 years in early Spring or Autumn.

How to Divide Sage: Water the plant thoroughly the day before dividing to ease root separation.Carefully dig up the plant, ensuring minimal damage to the root system. Split the root ball into sections using a sharp spade or knife, ensuring each section has roots and healthy stems. Replant divisions in well prepared soil, following proper spacing guidelines.

Caring for Sage

Sage is a low-maintenance herb, but proper care ensures its longevity and productivity.

Watering: Sage is drought-tolerant and prefers dry conditions. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, particularly in Scotland’s wetter regions.

Mulching: Mulch around the base of the plant with gravel or straw to suppress weeds and retain soil warmth.Caledonian Green Goodness is a peat-free soil improver that will add nutrients and organic matter to your soil. Ideal for planting bulbs, shrubs, and vegetables, as a mulch, and for enhanced water retention.

Winter Care: In Scotland, sage can withstand frost, but young plants may benefit from a layer of mulch, leaves or fleece during harsh winters.

Companion Planting for Sage

Sage’s aromatic properties make it an excellent companion plant, deterring pests and enhancing the growth of neighbouring plants.

Good Companions

Cabbage Family (Broccoli, Cauliflower): Sage repels cabbage moths and whiteflies.

Carrots: Helps deter carrot flies.

Tomatoes: Enhances growth and flavour.

Rosemary and Thyme: Similar growing requirements create a harmonious herb garden.

Poor Companions

Avoid planting sage near cucumbers or basil, as their differing water needs and growth habits may conflict.

Drying Sage 

Drying sage is a simple and effective way to preserve its flavour and aroma for long term use. The process allows you to enjoy this versatile herb in your cooking, teas, or crafts year round.

Harvest sage leaves at the right time: Ideally, you should pick sage in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day intensifies. This timing ensures the leaves are at their peak in essential oils, which provide their characteristic flavour and aroma. Choose healthy, vibrant leaves and remove any that are damaged or discoloured.

Once harvested, gently rinse the leaves in cool water to remove dirt and insects. Pat them dry thoroughly with a clean towel or allow them to air dry on a kitchen towel. Excess moisture can cause the leaves to mould during the drying process, so this step is crucial.

To dry sage, you can use one of several methods

The traditional method: involves bundling a handful of stems together with twine and hanging them upside down in a warm, dry, and well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. This process typically takes one to two weeks. Alternatively, you can spread individual leaves in a single layer on a drying rack or baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap. Place them in a cool, dry spot, turning occasionally to promote even drying.

For quicker results: you can use a dehydrator set to a low temperature or an oven on its lowest setting, keeping the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Monitor the sage carefully to prevent over drying or burning.

Once the leaves are crisp and crumble easily between your fingers, store them in an airtight container away from heat and light. Properly dried sage retains its aroma and flavour for months.

Sage is a versatile and hardy herb that fits seamlessly into the Scottish climate, offering culinary, medicinal, and aesthetic benefits. Whether used in the kitchen or as a pollinator friendly addition to your garden, sage proves its worth as an indispensable herb. With minimal effort and attention to soil conditions, sage can become a long lasting and productive part of your Scottish garden.

Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.

They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine.  Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.

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