Sow seeds 5mm (1⁄4”) deep, three or four seeds per pot, and thin to the strongest seedling.
Germination takes 10-14 days
. Keep soil moist until they are established, and transplant out at least 60cm (24′′) apart. Choose the site for your lovage with care, as they are long lived perennials, and they grow tall.
Does lovage grow back every year?
How irresistible is that? Two perennial herbs that I wouldn't be without are lovage and sorrel.
They come up every year
, survive on little attention, and are among the first plants to provide fresh green leaves in spring.
Does Lovage go to seed?
Lovage
grows well from seed
. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting outside. Sow 1/4 inch deep. Seeds will germinate in 10-20 days.
Should you let lovage flower?
The flower stalk will eventually produce huge heads of seeds which, if you're interested in harvesting viable seeds, should be left on the lovage plant
until the seed stalk has ripened and turned brown
, then collected and further dried in a warm ventilated location.
Is lovage a good companion plant?
Lovage has a reputation as a
good companion plant for potatoes and other tubers and root crops
. Food crops should be arranged in the vegetable garden to form the best alliances and make their growth better and healthier.
What do I do with lovage seeds?
Lovage stalks, leaves, and seeds can all be used to impart its bright and fresh celery flavor. Add leaves to a mix of
salad greens
or let wilt in soups and stocks. Chop and use in place of parsley in chicken and tuna salad or a batch of fresh tomato salsa.
Does lovage have deep roots?
To be sure that you're getting enough of the roots, dig
down a foot deep
and dig out as wide as the plant's crown. Lovage has a large and vigorous root system, with taproots up to 35 inches long.
Does lovage like sun or shade?
Lovage prefers
full sun to light shade
and a rich, moisture-laden, organic soil. Before you plant, consider how much space can be devoted to growing this attractive herb. Mature plants will reach 4 to 7 feet tall, which makes it the perfect backdrop for any garden.
What is the best way to grow lovage?
Plant lovage in a part to
full sun location
. It does best in full sun, but it can tolerate a few hours of shade during the day, particularly in warmer growing zones. The soil should be well-drained with a slightly acidic pH of around 6.5. It prefers sandy, loamy soil.
What is a substitute for lovage?
If you don't have lovage you can use equal amounts of
fresh Celery leaves
. Alternately you can substitute (for 1 cup chopped lovage) 1 cup chopped of fresh Chinese celery OR 1 cup chopped fresh celery stalks.
Is lovage toxic to cats?
Humans have cultivated lovage for thousands of years for use as both a food and a medicine. However,
if ingested by cats, the plant can have some potentially dangerous side effects due to the chemicals present in its roots and leaves
.
Can you plant lovage with tomatoes?
Lovage enhances the flavor of potatoes, tomatoes, steamed vegetables, rice, chicken, and poultry stuffings.
How do you harvest and use lovage?
You can toss its lively
young leaves in salads
or tuck them into the cavity of a chicken or fish before roasting; finely shredded, they are a great addition to soups, stews, mash or scrambled eggs; you can steam the stems, braise the roots and use the seeds in biscuits and bread – what's not to love about lovage?
Can I eat lovage raw?
Today, lovage is a favorite flavoring in Britain and southeastern Europe. It is eaten cooked
or
raw. The leaves are used in soups, stocks, flavored vinegars, pickles, stews, and salads. … The anise, celery flavor of the lovage works really well.
Can I eat lovage?
A unique medicinal herb, lovage can be
eaten as a fresh vegetable
or used in cooking to enhance flavor and add nutrients to food. Its touted benefits include improving urinary health and having antibacterial properties.
Is lovage easy to grow from seed?
An
easy to grow herb
, lovage grown from seed should be started in the spring. It can be jump started and sown indoors 6-8 weeks prior to transplanting outside. Lovage seed germination takes 10-14 days.
