When to plant sage
Plant sage from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after it in spring, or 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F. That works out to zone 5b (early May to late May), zone 7a (mid April to early May) and zone 9a (early March to late March).
Sage planting dates by zone
| Zone | Spring | Fall | sage ready from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | Aug 8 |
| 4b | May 13 – Jun 3 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 | Aug 6 |
| 5a | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | Aug 4 |
| 5b | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 | Jul 29 |
| 6a | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | Jul 25 |
| 6b | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 | Jul 19 |
| 7a | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | Jul 9 |
| 7b | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 | Jul 1 |
| 8a | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | Jun 21 |
| 8b | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | Jun 9 |
| 9a | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 | May 26 |
| 9b | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 | Apr 30 |
How to plant sage
| Plant as | transplants |
|---|---|
| Soil temperature | 60°F or warmer |
| Depth | Same depth as the pot |
| Spacing | 18–24 in |
| Light | Full sun |
| Time to harvest | 75–90 days |
| Hardiness | Perennial in zones 5–8 |
| Start indoors | 6–8 weeks before the last frost (zone 6a: Mar 5 – Mar 19; zone 8a: Jan 30 – Feb 13) |
Sage is a woody perennial in zones 5–8 and lives for years in well-drained soil.
Soggy winter soil kills sage faster than cold does.
Replace plants every 4–5 years when they get woody.
Common garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is the culinary type; ornamental salvias are relatives grown for flowers.
Harvest leaves before the plant flowers for the strongest flavor, and dry them in small bunches out of direct sun.
Plant sage with rosemary and thyme: all three like the same dry, sunny conditions.
When to harvest sage
Harvest leaves lightly the first year; established plants can be cut back by a third in spring.
Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.