Meet the neighbours · herb
Sage
A soft, greyish-green "semi-perennial" neighbour — sometimes it overwinters, sometimes it doesn't.
Sage is a "semi-perennial" in Edmonton's zone — sometimes it survives the winter, sometimes it doesn't, so Cindy buys a fresh plant most springs regardless. It has greyish-green, soft, elongated leaves and flower spikes in purple, blue, white, or pink.
How to grow it
- Full sun and well-draining soil.
- A good companion to rosemary and carrots — keep it away from cucumbers.
- Once established, it can be harvested two to three times a season.
How to use & eat it
- A classic in holiday stuffing.
- Crumble into tomato sauce, or steep as a calming infusion tea.
- Cream into butter for biscuits or fried eggs.
- Has astringent properties — a cold, strong sage tea dabbed on the skin can help tighten and tone it.
Makes friends with
Companion planting is just good neighbouring — these do better beside Sage.
RosemaryCarrot
Other neighbours
- Carrot TopsContain more vitamin C and A than the carrot root itself — don't throw them away.
- RosemaryA fragrant Mediterranean evergreen that grows as an annual here — but can winter over on a sunny windowsill.
- Lemon BalmA hardy perennial in the mint family with a fragrant, lemony scent — it resurrects itself every spring, no replanting required.