The sage we use in cooking is Salvia officinalis. You can grow some of this decorative herb in your yard as part of your multi-purpose landscape. After all – if you have to plant it, water it, and care for it, why not have something you can cook with too?!

Which Sage?

The sage we are talking about this week has many common names, including true sage, common sage, garden sage, kitchen sage, culinary sage, Dalmatian sage, and broadleaf sage.  Originally native to the Mediterranean region, it is another of my Southwest “Herculean Herbs.” Like oregano, this herb doesn’t mind our low humidity, and tolerates alkaline soils. It just doesn’t tolerate heat quite as well as it’s cousin.

There are well over 1500 closely related sages or salvia species, many of them with sage somewhere in the common name.    More about the various salvia on Savor the Southwest.

Why Sage Now?

Because it is one of “Father Kino’s herbs,” and is featured in my book on the topic.   This week includes February 14th – the day that Arizona officially became the 48th state.  That happened in 1912.  On February 14 1965, a statue of Father Kino was unveiled in the US Capitol Building.  More about Father Kino.

Sage is one of “Father Kino’s Herbs”

The last few copies of this out-of-print award winning Southwestern book are now for sale. Father Kino’s Herbs: Growing and Using Them Today   The review says:

“Award-winning garden writer Dr. Jacqueline A. Soule has pulled together a fascinating book on the life of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino and some of the plants that he brought to Southern Arizona and northwestern Sonora, and area called the Pimeria Alta.”

This link is to our sales site. The profits from the sale go to the local Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute.  We hope you will help support this great Southwest non-profit!

Grow Sage

Soil

A rich, well-drained loamy soil that is high in organic matter is great for sage.    Sandy soils drain too quickly and clay soils become waterlogged and don’t hold oxygen well.    Either case makes for unhappy sage plants.   

Soil pH for sage is between 6.5 to 7.5, yet most desert soil is around 8.0.    Add some organic matter to your soil, or grow your sage in large containers with potting soil. Mine is quite happy in “Cactus Mix” potting soil.  

Light

Sage does best with 8 hours of light per day, but we are blessed with more than that in summer in the Southwest!    IN Low and Middle Desert – ideally provide noon or afternoon shade.    The east side of a home is a good place to plant sage in sunnier areas. You can also plant it under a nice shady tree.

Heat & Cold

Sage has grey-green leaves that are soft to the touch due to the many fine plant hairs – technically called trichomes.    These fine plant hairs help the plant conserve moisture, thus plants can survive our low humidity; it is the summer heat they do not appreciate.   

According to the books, sage is cold tolerant to USDA Zone 4, and heat tolerant to Zone 8.    So – if you want sage in Zone 9 or 10, you can plant it as an annual, or cheat. Many of us cheat the zones all the time! Just get just the right site for your sage. Also helps to grow it in unglazed clay or terra cotta pots so the evaporation through the porous sides of the pot keeps the roots cool in summer.   My sage plant is going on three years old in Zone 9B.

Water

Sage is considered a low water plant, but it does require sufficient water during the hot months.   As long as you have soil that drains you can water it every day, which helps it survive the heat in unglazed terra cotta pots.

Fertilizer

Like many herbs, sage needs little fertilizer.    Indeed, it is believed that too much fertilizer will reduce the amount of flavor-producing essential oils.    Half-strength fertilizer will help leaf production, which is the part you want.

Do avoid fertilizer within 60 days of average frost in your area. You don’t want to stimulate tender new growth that is easily killed by frost.  More about Frost Dates.

Sage Variety!

There are a number of colorful varieties of sage to choose from.    Why not grow a selection for subtle color in the garden?    Sage can be planted from seed, bought as seedlings from a nursery, and occasionally even found potted and for sale in the grocery store.

Authors Note

Google was saying that this article was too short.  Rather than fill it with stupid and useless fluff like the AI writers do – I added another one of my books for sale.  I dislike appearing so commercial – but I want this post to be found!  I want YOU to succeed with your gardening goals and that is hard if you don’t get the correct information.

Thanks for reading!

Jacqueline

More Tips – pages of them!

The Month By Month Guide offers tips for your landscape (yes even lawns and roses) in every month of the year.  I have a few copies left and am offering them to you – my loyal readers. When you buy from me you get a signed copy!

From the review:

“A great reference book is key to successful gardening in the region where you live. Arizona, Nevada & New Mexico Month-by-Month Gardening takes the guesswork out of gardening for anyone residing in the Southwest. With this book, you’ll know what to do each month to enjoy a thriving garden all year, from January to December. Chronologically organized, this guide is full of critical gardening when-to and how-to advice, along with illustrated step-by-step instructions.

The book’s author is Jacqueline Soule, a Tucson-based gardening expert. She knows this arid region inside and out, and she’s written several articles and books packed with her gardening advice. Arizona, Nevada & New Mexico Month-by-Month Gardening showcases Soule’s expertise in one easy-to-read guide.”

Profits from the sale of this book go to the Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute. 

Legal Notes

© Article copyright Jacqueline A. Soule // Gardening With Soule. All rights reserved. You must ask permission to republish an entire blog post or article. Okay to use a short excerpt but you must give proper credit. You must include a link back to the original post on our site. No stealing photos.

Disclaimer

The authors of this website have researched the edibility of the materials we discuss, however, humans vary in their ability to tolerate different foods, drinks, and herbs. Individuals consuming flowers, plants, animals or derivatives mentioned in this blog do so entirely at their own risk. The authors on this site cannot be held responsible for any adverse reaction. In case of doubt please consult your medical practitioner.