In order to harvest sage correctly, it requires a little background knowledge. Anyone who inexperiencedly attacks the evergreen subshrub with scissors will, in the worst case, lose the entire plant. We explain in practical terms what is important for professional harvesting.
How do you harvest sage correctly?
To harvest sage properly, cut off the herbaceous shoot tips in the late morning without cutting into the woody part. Ideally, you should harvest shortly before flowering in June, as this is when the aroma content in the leaves is at its highest. The last harvest should take place in August.
Continuous harvesting brings benefits
As a classic subshrub, sage grows woody in the lower part and herbaceous in the upper part. The fresh, herbaceous shoots that thrive every spring are suitable for consumption or numerous other uses. If this part is not cut, woodiness will gradually take hold here. Harvesting and cutting go hand in hand with this Mediterranean mint family. The advantages at a glance:
- continuous harvesting reduces the degree of woodiness
- herbaceous shoot tips are encouraged to branch
- A rich yield for stockpiling is available
If you harvest sage correctly following these instructions, you will kill several birds with one stone. Both fresh and preserved sage are available for the desired processing. At the same time, every harvest serves to maintain vitality and prevents excessive woodiness.
Step-by-step instructions for beds and balconies
With the beginning of the growing season, the first fresh shoot tips appear in May at the latest and invite you to savor spicy enjoyment. Now there is no stopping sage fans, because the harvest time can begin. Here's how to do it:
- the afternoon of the previous day, gently rinse the herb plant
- wait the next day until the dew has evaporated
- then cut off the herbaceous tips of the shoots in the late morning
- under no circumstances cut into the woody part
Whatever you don't process fresh is used for storage. Sage is excellent for drying and freezing.
Harvest shortly before flowering in premium quality
Sage aims to bloom from June onwards. In the days before, the aroma content in the leaves is at its highest level, only to then drop significantly. The plant should be harvested all over now at the latest so that the first-class harvest quality is not lost. If the formation of seeds is not desired, experienced hobby gardeners cut off the inflorescences in connection with the harvest.
Last harvest in August
This year's sage harvest ends in mid to late August. Thanks to this caution, you protect the plant from overwinter damage because all branches can mature in time before the first forest. In addition, the remaining branches serve as effective winter protection.
Tips & Tricks
When a sage bush blooms, the leaves are far from lost for useful use. The aroma content is reduced significantly, but the valuable tannins and flavonoids are retained in the leaves. These components contribute significantly to the fact that sage has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries.