How Do You Plant Sage?

1. Choose A Location To Plant Sage

When planting sage, it's important to ensure the location you choose meets the plant's needs. Sage plants prefer well-draining soil in a sunny area. When selecting a spot, make sure it gets at least 4 to 6 hours of sun each day—the more sun you can provide your sage plant, the better. Sage tolerates most soil types, but they prefer to have it on the sandy side.

2. Prepare The Soil For Planting

Before planting your sage, double check that you prepared your soil properly. Work the soil and break up any large clumps so that the soil is light and crumbly. You can also add compost to the soil for added nutrients and organics.

3. Planting Sage Seeds

If you're using sage seeds, make sure you prepare them properly before sowing. You can soak the seeds in water overnight to soften them, then scrub the seeds lightly with a soft brush. Plant the seeds directly outside after the last frost of the season in shallow furrows, and give them plenty of exposure to sunlight. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soaking.

4. Planting Sage Transplants Or Starts

If you're using sage transplants or starts to plant sage, make sure you wait until nighttime to transplant them into the garden if you start planting the plants in the morning. This will give the plants time to acclimate in their new environment and will help prevent shock. Dig a hole in your garden bed that's slightly larger than the root ball of the plant, then gently place the plant in the hole. Cover root ball thoroughly and press the soil down to ensure that the sage perfectly set in the soil.

5. Mulching Around The Sage

Once the sage plants are planted, you'll want to consider mulching them for several reasons. For one, mulching helps keep moisture locked in the ground, which keeps the plants watered. Mulching also helps reduce weeds and can serve as insulation for plants in colder climates. For mulching your sage, consider using bark pieces or organic matter, such as grass clippings, compost, or leaves. Make sure the mulch is two to three inches thick.

6. Water Sage Plants Regularly

Sage plants need plenty of water, especially during dry spells and hot weather. They require about one inch of water a week when the plants are young, and then up to two inches of water a week when the plants are mature. During hotter months, you may even need to water your soil twice a week. Provide enough water so that the soil is moist at all times, but not soggy.

7. Fertilizing Sage Plants

Your sage plants may also need extra support from fertilizing throughout the year in order to remain healthy and strong. Feed the soil with an all-purpose fertilizer once a month starting in early summer. The fertilizer will help the soil—and ultimately the plants—absorb the nutrition that they need to thrive. It's also worth noting that the fertilizer you choose is important and should be specific to the type of plant you're growing.

8. Pruning Sage Plants Regularly

Pruning your sage plants is important for a couple reasons. First, it will help promote new growth and improved overall shape. It will also help your sage plants bloom better, and it improves air circulation to help the plant stay healthy. When you prune sage plants, it's important to cut any wilting, yellow, or dead leaves, as well as crossed and rubbing branches.

9. Protecting Sage Plants From Pests And Diseases

Sage plants, unfortunately, can be prone to certain diseases, such as powdery mildew, or to pests like aphids. To protect your sage plants, you should monitor them closely and always be on the lookout for any suspicious signs. If you do spot any problems, you should act quickly to treat them. Depending on the problem, you may need to use insecticidal soap, spray neem oil, or sprinkle diatomaceous earth. It's also worth noting that companion planting is a great way to reduce any problems with pests.

10. Harvest Your Sage Plants

once your sage plants are mature and blooming, you can start to harvest them. all you have to do is cut the branches that you need, and avoid harvesting too much at once. the best time to harvest sage is when the plant is in its flowering stage. make sure you don't take more than one-third of the total foliage, as this can weaken the plant.