Basil and Sage Pruning for Bushy Growth and Winter Survival

Thin, weedy basil and straggly sage in SE England need heat, pruning, and winter strategy.

Basil

• Heat: Nights 70°F+ mandatory. Start indoors on heat mat.
• Light: East location. Grow lights 6" above, raise as grows.
• Prune: 1/3 from tips every 3 weeks. Fish fertilizer same time.
• Outdoors: Only when nights 70°F+. Ignore day temps.

Sage

• Prune: Same 1/3 every 3 weeks. Center branch first.
• Winter: Days 50°F+ for outdoor survival. Mulch heavily.
• Fall prune: Light only. Heavy autumn prune kills.
• Varieties: 'Berggarten', 'Purpurascens' hardier.

Basil = heat annual. Sage = perennial with proper pruning and winter mulch.