Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Cut Fresh Sage
How to Cut Fresh Sage. The strong scent of sage adds a highly aromatic flavor to cooked dishes. Sage leaves complement pork and chicken entrees, while also providing flavor to cream sauces and soups. Sage is sometimes used in teas or herbal remedies but it truly shines as a culinary herb. You can use sage fresh or dried but freshly cut from the...
The strong scent of sage adds a highly aromatic flavor to cooked dishes. Sage leaves complement pork and chicken entrees, while also providing flavor to cream sauces and soups. Sage is sometimes used in teas or herbal remedies but it truly shines as a culinary herb. You can use sage fresh or dried but freshly cut from the garden leaves contain the strongest flavor and aroma. Harvesting at the right time ensures the leaves are filled with the oils that give the herb its flavor. Sage cut at its peak is suitable for both fresh use and drying for later use.
Things You'll Need
Shears
Cutting board
Knife
Snip off stems from the outside of the sage plant with a small pair of shears. Cut the stems so they are 3 to 6 inches long and contain two or more leaf sets.
Harvest the sage before it begins to bloom or just as the buds begin to swell. The leaves lose their flavor once the plant begins flowering.
Strip the leaves from the stem after harvesting. Discard the stems.
Use the leaves whole or cut them into smaller pieces, as preferred. Make a pile of three or more leaves on top the cutting board. Coarsely chop the sage into the desired size pieces. Cutting severs and bruises the leaves so they release more oil and fragrance.
Tips & Warnings
If you are harvesting the sage to dry, dry and store whole leaves. Crumble or crush the leaves immediately before use to release the most flavor.
