Experts at McCormick & Company, the famous spice gurus, have recently released the 2005 Flavor Forecast. Ranking in the top 10 flavors for the year were two common culinary herbs, sage and mint. Although these experts would probably recommend buying their products in grocery stores, growing these herbs at home is relatively simple.

Sage is rich in vitamins A and C and contains many antioxidant compounds. Scratchy throats and irritated gums and mouths can often be soothed by sage tea. And Thanksgiving stuffing just would not be the same without a bit of sage mixed in.

But aside from being ideal for calming ailments and spicing up foods, sage's visual growing characteristics are sure to complement any herb garden. It not only provides beautiful foliage with its distinctive gray-green leaves, but also presents breathtaking lilac blossoms when mature.

Sage is a perennial, meaning it comes back year after year without replanting, and can be grown from good-quality seed. Most culinary varieties of sage are hardy enough to withstand the winters in Alabama's zones 7 (northern half of the state) and 8 (southern half of the state); however, this herb should be planted in partial shade because of our extremely hot summers.

A well drained, slightly acidic soil works best for sage. To encourage strong branching, be sure to pinch the stems back several times during the first summer of growth. This will promote full growth and heavier blooming in the following years.

For already established sage, spring is an excellent time to fertilize these older plants. Fertilize as new growth appears and then again in late summer.

Although sage's duration lasts only about 3 or 4 seasons due to our hot, humid climate, mint thrives in Alabama's environment. Like sage, mint is also a perennial, and it, too, has certain therapeutic as well as culinary characteristics.

Diluted, mint can be used as a facial astringent, a breath freshener and soothe an uneasy stomach. In the garden its aromatic foliage can repel ants, white cabbage moths and other pests. And what would the Kentucky Derby be without the traditional Mint Julep?

But most importantly is mint's heartiness in the garden. Because of this, it is noted to be an ideal herb for beginning gardeners to grow. But its heartiness also has a downside; it can take over a garden. In fact, it is probably best to grow mint in a container.

Stolons, or runners, grow both under and on the surface of the ground, and cause mint to invade other areas of the garden. If mint plants are placed about one foot apart from each other, soon no empty space will remain. So when planting, be sure to allow for ample growth.

Unlike sage, which is best grown from seeds, mint grows best from cuttings. Cuttings can be bought or mail-ordered or even acquired from a parent plant of a friendly area gardener.

To obtain from a parent plant, cut a three-inch section of a branch or stem off, remove the leaves from the bottom inch of the cutting and place in a glass of water. When the roots grow to be half an inch long, the cutting can be planted in soil. Early spring is the best time to plant mint.

Soils best suited for mint are moist, fertile and well drained with a 6.0-7.5 pH. Mint thrives in places that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Pinching the stems off each spring, as with sage, helps to promote full growth. At the end of the growing season, it is also a good idea to prune mint plants back to near ground level.

Drying and freezing these herbs can provide a year-round supply with better taste and lower price than commercial brands. With these easy tips, there's no need to rush off to the grocery store to shop for the full flavor of sage and mint - just look right in your own garden.

Source: Dr. James D. Williams, Extension Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-3032.