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Herbs1 variety
Common Sage
Salvia officinalisAromatic short-lived perennial subshrub grown for culinary foliage and pollinator-friendly flower spikes.
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Days to maturity
80–90 daysDays to germ.
7–21 daysSpacing
12 inHeight
16–30 inSun
Sun, Partial ShadeHow we grow it
Germination
- Days to germ.
- 7–21 d
- Depth
- 0.25 in
Culture
- Days to maturity
- 80–90 d
- Spacing
- 12 in
- Height
- 16–30 in
- Sun
- Sun, Partial Shade
- Frost
- tender
- Hardiness zones
- 4–8
Harvest
- Handling
- Individual leaves may be harvested the first year once plants have become established. In the second and following years, cut stems to within 6" of the base of the plant just as flowers are starting to open. Hang small bunches of sage upside down to dry in a well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight.
Timing · Zone 5a
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sow indoorsApr 9
Outdoor / directMay 21 – Jun 18
Bloom (from indoor)Jun 28 – Jul 9
Bloom (from outdoor)Aug 9 – Sep 17
Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.
Compare in the calendarTrials
Every Common Sage sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.Common Sage trials