SAGE: our number ONE HERB in the kitchen garden

When asked about our favorite herb, we don't need to think for long. SAGE is our all time favorite in the kitchen garden and in our kitchen. If you don't grow it yet, then put it on your must-have list for 2025! We're going to tell you why this herb should grow in every kitchen garden.

When it comes to versatile and beneficial herbs, SAGE (Salvia officinalis) is truly in a league of its own. Known for its earthy, slightly peppery flavor and rich history of medicinal use, sage is a must-have for both your kitchen and your garden. Let's start with the benefits for your health:

Health Benefits of Sage

Sage isn’t just a culinary delight when it comes to turkey stuffing - it’s a natural remedy that has been used for centuries. It's a staple for every herbalist and here is how it can boost your well-being:

1. Soothes Sore Throats: Sage tea is our go-to remedy for sore throats and coughs. Its antiseptic properties help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, providing a soothing relief during the cold and flu season. One main way of its effects is that sage tightens and tones swollen tissues and therefore brings relief to sore throats.

2. Improves Cognitive Health: Sage has been linked to beneficial effects on memory and brain function. It works as an antioxidant within the brain chemistry and therefore helps fight the effects of oxidative stress and supports mental clarity and focus.

3. Supports Digestion: Sage can bring relief when you are facing indigestion or bloating. The herb eases digestive discomfort by stimulating bile production and the reduction of stomach cramps. The slightly bitter taste of sage gives us a hint for this usage.

4. Balances Hormones: Sage is well known for its beneficial effects on sweating. Women facing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats, may find relief using sage tea to regulate the intensity and frequency of these occurrences.

5. Improve Immune Health: Full of vitamins and antioxidants, sage helps supporting your immune system. That makes it a valuable companion during the winter months. From sage tea to the usage of sage in your daily dinner, sage can be easily included in your daily routine.

   
   

Why Grow Sage in Your Garden?

But sage isn’t just good for your health, it's an awesome plant to grow in your garden, too. Here’s why you should reserve it a spot or two in your kitchen garden:

1. Hardy and Low Maintenance: Sage is a perennial herb that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires minimal care, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Luckily, most sage varieties are hardy enough to survive our cold Eastern Ontario winters without much of an extra protection!

2. Pollinators love it: Sage’s beautiful purple flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By growing sage you are supporting native wildlife and enhance the biodiversity in your garden.

3. Great for Companion Planting: As much as we humans like sage, lots of pests don't. Plant sage near vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and beans to deter pests such as cabbage moths and carrot flies. Its strong aroma confuses these unwanted visitors.

4. Dried sage: Sage keeps its flavor even when it's been dried. This makes it your ideal year-round companion. Cut your sage plants on a regular basis to enhance its growth. Dry your cuttings and keep it for later use. No need to buy any tea in the winter!

5. Beautiful Eye Catcher: With its silvery-green, sometimes even purple, foliage and attractive blooms, sage adds aesthetic appeal to your garden. It's a win-win situation for you, your garden and the wildlife around.

   
   

Sage in the Kitchen

Sage’s unique flavor makes it a culinary superstar. Here are a few ideas to inspire your cooking:

• Classics: Add sage to stuffing, roasted vegetables and potatoes, or any poultry dishes.

• Herbal Teas: Steep fresh or dried sage leaves in hot water for a calming and health-boosting tea. A combination of sage and thyme work wonders on sore throats.

• Infuse your butter: For your next BBQ, create sage-infused butter for spreading on bread or steak. You can even mix it with pasta - it's delicious.

• Fried Garnish: Lightly fry sage leaves for a crispy, flavorful topping on soups and salads.

  
  

  

  
  

Growing Sage: A Quick Guide

1. Choose the Right Spot: Sage thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Always keep its Mediterranean origin in mind when you look for a place in your garden. Sage grows in-ground and in raised bed, which makes it easy to add to any garden.

2. Cuttings: You can grow sage from seeds, but it's a long and not always successful ordeal. Much easier and faster is to grow new plants from cuttings from mature plants.

3. Water a little: Avoid overwatering - sage thrives in well-drained soil and performs much better in slightly dry conditions (remember the Mediterranean origin?)

4. Prune Regularly: Harvest leaves often to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody. This will give you lots of sage to use in your kitchen and to dry for the winter months.

Are you going to grow SAGE next year? We bet you will. This herb is a true superstar, with its health benefits, diverse culinary usage and its benefits for your kitchen garden. Whether you’re enjoying it as tea, sprinkling it on roasted vegetables, or planting it to deter pests, sage is a gift from nature that keeps on giving.

Have you grown sage or used it in your home remedies? Please share your tips and recipes in the comments!