Although sage moved into our gardens from the Mediterranean region, the herbal plant is remarkably frost hardy. Completely without winter protection, however, there is a risk of damage that can be easily avoided with the following precautions.

Winter protection starts with the right harvest

There is a close correlation between harvesting and overwintering in garden sage. So that the evergreen subshrub can mature before the first frost, it should no longer be harvested from the middle/end of August. The remaining herb branches serve as natural protection against frost and snow.

This is how sage overwinters healthy in the bed

Only in the mild wine-growing regions of Germany can winter protection be dispensed with outdoors. In all other situations, the following precautions are recommended from -10 degrees:

  • before the first frost, cover the root ball with leaves, straw or needle brushwood
  • wrap the woody shoots with fleece or jute

It is important to note that the covers are permeable to air. Otherwise, condensation will collect here, causing rot and mold.

This is how sage gets through the winter in a bucket

In the planter, the frost finds a much better attack surface on the root ball. To prevent it from freezing through, take the following precautionary measures:

  • place a pot on wood or styrofoam in front of the south wall
  • Pack the jar tightly with bubble wrap
  • cover the branches with a hood, as in the bed

Safe hibernation in the house - this is how it works

Not sure if your sage is a hardy variety? Then the move to a winter quarters comes into consideration. Choose a bright room with cool temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius. Heated living quarters are unsuitable, since sage cannot cope with the discrepancy between high temperatures and a significant lack of light.

tips and tricks

Potassium-based fertilization from July noticeably increases the frost hardiness of sage plants. Among the plant manures, comfrey in particular has a natural potassium content, ideally enriched with charcoal ash and rock flour.(14.13€)

GTH

Category:

Herbs