Harvest sage in the morning after the dew has dried
Choose healthy, mature stems with plenty of leaves
Use clean scissors or pruning shears
Cut stems just above a leaf node
Take no more than one-third of the plant at a time
Avoid cutting into old woody stems
Strip leaves from the harvested stems if needed
Rinse the leaves gently if they are dirty
Pat the leaves dry with a clean towel
Use fresh sage immediately or dry it for later use