Sage Tips and Facts
Sage is a very handy herb. When used as a seasoning for game, it evens out the strong 'wild' flavors. It adds depth to sausage and other fatty meats, and minced fresh, enhances the flavor of creamy cheeses. Sage will usually compliment most foods that contain onion as a major ingredient, and Sage is a good companion for ginger, both in the garden and in cooking.In the medicine cabinet, sage tea is a natural remedy for headache. Sage mixed with vinegar and water makes a great astringent, and sage hair rinse helps bring out the highlights in dark hair and reduces the appearance of gray.
Sage is a good herb for providing texture in your herb patch, where many herbs can look a little like weeds to the uninitiated. Sage varieties like pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) can be very showy, with its crimson flowers. Others like common sage (Salvia officinalis) have a distinctive gray-green coloration with pebbly leaves. For the color lover, try, purple sage, tri-colored sage, and golden sage. All can be used in crafts and cooking, and make an attractive statement in your landscape.
It's easy to grow sage in your garden as well as indoors. It likes well-drained soil, full sun, and benefits from the addition of bone meal. Take a look at my sage article: Understanding Sage, for planting instructions.
Thank you for offering so much helpful information about herbs, this site is a great reference.
ReplyDeleteI have and English Sage plant that ended up having these beautiful purple-gray flowers that I have been enjoying. But now I realize that I would like to save some of those 4-5 inch leaves. I read on your site that I was supposed to do it BEFORE it flowered...oops. Will they still be okay? Also, should I hang them on the stems to dry or should I pull the individual leaves and put them in my dehydrator?
Thanks,
Drake, Natural Chef
Hey Drake,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words.
I try and keep my sage flowers pinched back until July. If the plant is robust, though, it should be okay. You can dry either the stems with the leaves still on or remove the leaves and dry them in the oven or in a dehydrator. The leaves will curl and probably darken.
One thing I like to do with sage is wire it fresh on a round form, like grapevine. Then I dry it in a dark, warm place. This makes a great base for an herbal wreath that you can snip all winter.
Good Luck, Sara
Thanks for all of your great ideas! I am just a beginner at growing herbs, but it's been fun to see my sage and basil plants grow strong lately! Now I know what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteHi Brandee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. Every holiday season I make herb wreaths using sage as one of the primary herb ingredients. There's a tutorial around here somewhere.
You should also try making sage tea. It's very relaxing.
Sara