"Growing Lovage"

Growing lovage in your garden couldn't be easier. It is a hardy perennial herb and will come back year after year given the right conditions. It's a tall growing plant and should be placed at the back of your herb or vegetable garden so as not to shade lower plants.

Lovage has a strong celery type taste and the seeds are often ground and used in place of celery salt.

Thompson and Morgan in the UK have organic lovage seeds available.

Growing Lovage in the UK at Thompson and Morgan

In the US, amazon is a good start!

Organic Lovage 100 Seeds - Levisticum - HEIRLOOM - Herb

Growing lovage - from seed:

Prepare the ground by digging over and raking to a fine tilth before sowing your seed. Seed should be sown in the spring, preferably after all danger of frost has passed, or cover with a protective cloche overnight if temperatures are likely to drop. Keep weed free and watered until seedlings are large enough to move, then thin out to allow about 2ft (60cm) between plants. Replant seedlings immediately.

Seeds can be started off a little earlier in seed trays if you have space to keep them indoors or in a warm greenhouse. Fill well-drained pots or seed trays with compost and sow a few seeds. Keep warm and watered but not too wet until seeds have germinated and the seedlings are large enough to handle.

It's a good idea to double check on your seed packet for manufacturer's growing recommendations before you start, as regional and variety needs may differ.

Growing Lovage from root division:

Just after the leaves begin to show in the spring, dig up your plant carefully and separate the root by pulling apart gently. Re-plant pieces of root that have growing shoots and look healthy. Discard any diseased parts. Water the new plants well and keep an eye on them until they start to grow well.

Lovage likes a deep and rich soil, so dig in some well rotted manure or compost during the season before you plant to get the most from your plants.

Remember to use your lovage. Leaves can be added to salads as well as soups casseroles and stews, adding a wonderful celery flavour to your recipes.

Seeds should be collected if possible to use in the kitchen during the winter or saved to plant next year.

Lovage plants will last for many years before they need replacing. Once established there's very little maintenance involved so growing lovage in your herb garden is definitely worth considering!

Happy Gardening!

Herb Gardening: Herbs are becoming recognised more and more as superfoods, as if we didn't know that really! 'Herb Gardening' has been beautifully put together by the publisher (Crowood Press) into a well presented book with full colour photos.

You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herb Gardening

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