If you are searching for something that doesn’t take much work to grow, Cathy Isom discusses a relatively fuss-free herb to grow in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
When it comes to herbs, sage is a culinary favorite, but there’s much more to this wonderful plant than just dinner.
Sage has antiseptic properties and can be used to treat cuts, sores and ulcers. It aids the digestion of fats, and there’s evidence that it can be a tonic for rheumatic pain and anemia.
If you live in a dry area, it’s an ideal herb garden option because it doesn’t require a ton of water. There are many different sage varieties: Pineapple, Purple, Tri-color, Golden, Aurea and Berggarten.
Sage is a perennial that grows to about 20 inches, so plan for its size. It grows well in pots, and you can move them around to catch the sun.
Beware of whiteflies and aphids who love to feast on this plant. Spider mites, snails and slugs will also love your sage. The best companion plants for sage include: rosemary, cabbage, carrots, celery, tomato, beans and strawberries.
Sage hates wet feet, so don’t over water. The plant will tolerate dry conditions, so water deeply once a week or so, allowing the soil around the plant to dry out between irrigation.
I’m Cathy Isom…
