Sage is best used as an additional ingredient to add flavor to certain cuisines. The inclusion of this flavorful herb will result to a tastier plate. This is often mixed with onion and is included as stuffing for duck, pork or turkey. The flavorful outcome of this combination is very hard to replicate. Sage leaves are oval in shape and appear in a variety of colors. The addition of this herb in your garden will truly create a colorful scene.

Apart from the taste this herb can give, it also serves as a decorative item. Purple and golden kinds of sage are best to use as ornamental plants; although they appear smaller than the gray or green variation of this herb, they are more popularly used due to the attractiveness and the taste they give to food. Both varieties can render viewing pleasures and it can create a serene atmosphere for anyone who is to gaze at the herb.

Sage is a member of the hardy perennial shrub and it reaches two feet tall in its maximum growth. Planting this herb will be no problem for it can grow in any soil; although such is the case, additional care is required for those located in northern areas. A protective cover, usually of organic matter, is needed in order to protect the herb from the harmful cold weather in this region.

Starting a sage garden is not too difficult. Several techniques can be followed to ensure the healthy growth of these herbs. Division, layering, seed or stem cuttings are some of the methods that you can apply when growing your own sage garden. Accommodating the plant's need is not too hard; you may choose to nourish it with fertilizer on the first year only. Less fertilizer is good if you want to achieve the maximum flavor this herb can provide. Gourmet dishes acquires better flavor when this kind of sage herb is part of the food preparation.

The best time to plant the sage herb is on the average date of the last winter snow about one-fourth inch into the ground. A gap of 18 to 20 inches must be the space allotted between rows. The columns should have a 12-inch distance from each other and must be situated in a sunny spot. Shady location is also good but it can somehow lessen the tastiness of the herb. The location and ground it is planted is crucial in its growth. Avoiding putting them in damp areas for they will rot. Dry sunny areas are always the best.

The harvesting stage is 75 days from the time they were planted on the ground. During this time, you already have enough sage to use in your kitchen. To keep this herb healthy and productive, cut six to eight inches from the plant's top twice. More than this measurement will terminate its growth and production. After the herb is pruned, store them in a tightly sealed container.

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