Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:01 pm
For sage to thrive magnificently and at the same time build up a high content of essential oils in the leaves, the right fertilization plays a central role. We have looked over the shoulder of the professionals and modified the findings for the hobby garden.
Fertilizing sage in harmony with nature – this is how it works.
Nitrogen optimizes aroma and potassium strengthens frost resistance, while phosphorus has a beneficial effect on flower and seed growth. Commercial farmers fertilize their sage fields according to these findings. Since mineral fertilizers are not allowed in the environmentally and health-conscious home garden, the following modification lends itself to organic-biological nutrient supply:
Starting in March, fertilize sage every 2 weeks with compost and nitrogenous horn shavings.
- In addition, apply stinging nettle liquid manure directly to the root zone.
- In July and August, combine compost with potassium-rich comfrey liquid manure.
- Fertilize sage in the pot with organic liquid fertilizer or fertilizer sticks
- Do not apply fertilizer from the end of August
Provided that you aim at harvesting the seeds as seed for the next year, a change in the fertilization schedule is recommended with the beginning of bud formation. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers, such as nettle manure, are exchanged for phosphorus-rich nutrients. These include poultry manure or guano,(12,00 at Amazon*) the natural fertilizer made from excrement of South American seabirds.
Making plant soaks yourself
During the growing season, the ecologically minded amateur gardener always has a supply of the most important plant yeasts at hand. These include stinging nettle and comfrey liquid soaks, which play an important role in both nutrient supply and disease and pest control. The following recipe has proven to be most effective:
Harvest nettle or comfrey leaves of non-flowering plants.
- Pour 1 kilogram of fresh or 200 grams of dried leaves into a tub
- Pour 10 liters of water over them, stir and cover with a grate
- Stir daily with a wooden stick during the following 10-14 days
- Adding rock flour (19,00€ at Amazon*) or charcoal ash will mitigate the unpleasant smell. Once a dark brown broth has developed, it is sieved and stored in a shady, out-of-the-way garden spot. Plant soaks are generally used diluted in a ratio of 1:10 in a watering can and 1:50 in a pressure sprayer.
Tips & Tricks
Where several sagebrushes are to be planted in the bed, a green manure in advance provides valuable initial help. Sown in March, popular varieties such as bee’s friend or marigolds prepare the site perfectly. Particularly heavy soil is effectively loosened by incarnate clover or Persian clover, which can be sown in the previous year.