When I was cleaning up my garden last fall (in mid-October), my sage was still standing. I couldn't bear to just dig it up, so I thought I would leave it and just see what happened. Many herbs are annuals, so I really had no expectations. I just thought it wouldn't bother anyone over the winter so I would leave it there. It's in a raised bed, so it didn't even get in the way of the tiller.
When I came to check it out in the spring, there was nothing much going on - the stems and leaves had dried up and gone brittle. I broke off most of the top part, but the roots still seemed well attached. So, I left it some more. Still not expecting anything, but...
On May 17th I came to check the garden, and to plant a few seeds. I was prepared to dig up the sage and turn it into compost at this point, just to clear the space for something else. But when I looked closely - here's what I found! Tiny shoots of sage emerging into the cool sunlight!
So of course I planted around it and used it to anchor the "herb corner" of my raised bed. I put some parley, basil, and chili peppers growing around it. And it came on strong! It has gotten far bigger than it was last year - over a foot across, and by mid-July it was starting to send up mauve stems of flowers. Here it is blooming away on July 20.
When I came to check it out in the spring, there was nothing much going on - the stems and leaves had dried up and gone brittle. I broke off most of the top part, but the roots still seemed well attached. So, I left it some more. Still not expecting anything, but...
On May 17th I came to check the garden, and to plant a few seeds. I was prepared to dig up the sage and turn it into compost at this point, just to clear the space for something else. But when I looked closely - here's what I found! Tiny shoots of sage emerging into the cool sunlight!
So of course I planted around it and used it to anchor the "herb corner" of my raised bed. I put some parley, basil, and chili peppers growing around it. And it came on strong! It has gotten far bigger than it was last year - over a foot across, and by mid-July it was starting to send up mauve stems of flowers. Here it is blooming away on July 20.
By now the first flower stalks have faded, and seeds were starting to form. I cut them off - one perennial sage plant is quite enough, thank you! And more flowers are coming. I had no idea that garden sage could be so pretty!
2 comments:
Hey Nice Blog. Like the title too.
Thanks, BB. Come by some time for stone soup when you're in town!
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