I love cooking with fresh herbs. I have several on my windowsill at the ready for use in my favorite recipes.

Recently, I was shocked to find my sage plant covered with powdery mildew. How did this happen so fast? While researching,  I read mildew is spread by water. Oh no! In an attempt to keep the plant spider mite free I had sprayed with water. I should have used a solution of chamomile tea, a natural fungicide, when I sprayed the sage.

The affected leaves could not be saved. Drastic measures needed to be taken.

I plucked away all the spotted leaves and discarded them, leaving what I hope are mildew-free leaves. I will check the plant daily, and if I find the same problem I will try a spray of chamomile. Placing the sage alongside a rotary fan will help with quicker drying time. If the plant is still diseased I will be forced to discard it and try again. In the meantime, I must remember to keep it in “plant quarantine.”