Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Lovage is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The flavor of this herb is strong and savory with similarities to celery but with a hint of anise or fennel. Part of the apiaceae family, this plant is related to more popular herbs such as parsley, dill and cilantro. The lovage plant can grow up to 7 feet tall with thick stems, bright green leaves and yellow-green flowers that bloom in the summer. The leaves of this aromatic herb can be used to flavor sauces, soups, stews or stocks, and the seeds can be ground to use as a spice.
NAME: Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
VARIETY: Lovage
DAYS TO MATURITY: 85 – 95 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
SOIL: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH 6.2 – 7.5
SPACING: 18 – 24 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 60 – 72 inches
TEMP: 55 – 85ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start seeds 4 to 5 weeks before your last local spring frost in cell trays with seed starting soil mix. Sow thinly and cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist and maintain a temperature of about 60ºF and germination should occur in 10-15 days.
When seedlings emerge, thin so there is just one seedling per cell.
Provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill, or grow seedlings 3 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours, off for 8 hours raising the lights as the plants grow.
Once the seedings grow to be 3 inches tall, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process).
Finally, transplant the seedlings into a garden bed that receives full sun to partial shade with loose, well-draining fertile soil that has a pH of 6.2-7.5.
Transplant the seedlings so they are spaced 18 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.
Immediately after your last local spring frost has passed, sow lovage seeds in loose, well-draining fertile soil in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
Lovage prefers cooler temperatures so the sooner you can sow the more likely the seeds will germinate.
Sow seeds 1 inch apart, 1/4 inch deep, in rows spaced 2 feet apart.
Water in well and germination will occur in 10 to 15 days.
Once seedlings emerge, thin so they are spaced 4 inches apart.
After they grow to be 5 inches tall, thin them once more so they are spaced 18 inches apart.
Lovage will reseeds itself so if you do not want the plant to produce new plants, cut the flowering heads before they go to seed.
Cutting back the stems will cause the growth of new and more abundant leaves.
After several years of growth, lovage benefits from being dug up and divided; the plant grows well from root and stem cuttings, and parts of the extensive roots can then be harvested for culinary use.
Harvest Lovage leaves as needed throughout the growing season, starting when the plant reaches about 12 inches in height.
Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the outer leaves of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
For the best flavor, harvest leaves in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated.
Lovage leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use in culinary dishes, teas, or as a flavorful addition to soups and stews.
To harvest the root, carefully dig around the base of the plant with a garden fork or shovel, taking care not to damage the roots.
Wash the root thoroughly to remove any soil, and trim off any damaged or discolored areas.
The root can be used fresh or dried for later use in culinary dishes or herbal remedies.
