ITALIAN SAGE – PICTORIAL PACKET

Description

ITALIAN SAGE – PICTORIAL PACKET

ITALIAN SAGE – PICTORIAL PACKET. Highly aromatic plant / herb of 1-2ft that is winter hardy. The broad attractive leaves have a camphor-like aroma and produce with blue flowers. Use grey-green leaves and young stems fresh or dried to season poultry, pork, lamb, veal, stew, sauces, dressings, sausage, tomatoes, eggplant, squash, soups, and cheese. Also used as an ornamental plant for borders, large tubs or for use in the vegetable garden. A very showy garden ornamental when blanketed with tiny purple-blue flowers. 75 days to harvest.

This seed is supplied in premium pictorial packets direct from Italy.

Cultivation Advice 

• Plant Italian Sage in early spring after the last frost date or in late summer/early fall. It prefers a sunny location but can tolerate partial shade.
• Choose a spot with well-draining soil and good air circulation.
• Italian Sage thrives in well-draining, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporate organic matter like compost when planting to enhance soil fertility.
• Ensure the soil is loose to facilitate root development.
• Sow Italian Sage seeds directly into the garden bed or start them indoors in seed trays. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in the soil or follow packet instructions.
• Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost or space them about 18-24 inches apart.
• Italian Sage prefers full sun and requires at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Ensure adequate sunlight for robust growth.
• Water newly planted sage regularly to establish roots. Once established, sage is drought-tolerant and prefers infrequent but deep watering.
• Thin seedlings to maintain appropriate spacing, ensuring mature plants have ample space to grow without crowding.
• Sage doesn’t require heavy feeding. A light application of balanced fertilizer during the growing season or a side dressing of compost can support its growth.
• Apply mulch around Italian Sage plants to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weed growth.
• Regularly remove weeds to prevent them from competing for nutrients and water.
• Prune sage occasionally to encourage bushier growth. Trim the plants after flowering to promote new growth.
• Harvest sage leaves by snipping them from the plant as needed. Leave some foliage for continued growth.
• Sage is generally hardy but may benefit from mulching or covering the base with straw or leaves to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
• Italian Sage leaves are used in various cuisines. Use them fresh or dried in meat dishes, soups, stuffing, and sauces for their distinctive flavor.
• Sage leaves can also be infused into oils or used in herbal teas.