Lovage
Introduction
A hardy green leaved perennial herb. The leaves are cooked to add flavour to casseroles, soups, and sauces, and young leaves can be added to salad. The taste is most similar to celery with a hint of lemon.
Planting
- Germinate seeds indoors in spring (sunny windowsill or heated propagator)
- If a neighbour has lovage, the plants can easily be divided in late summer to get a free plant
- Alternatively, buy young plants from garden stockists
Harvesting
- Young leaves have better texture and flavour (especially if using in salad)
- Once the plants have flowered in summer the leaves can taste bitter (wait until the following season)
(inside)
(outside)
(fresh)
(stored)
= jar, 
= freeze, 
= store
Varieties
It is common to see only one type of lovage in retail outlets
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Growing
Lovage can grow tall and bushy at over 1 metre in height, and is therefore less suitable for growing in pots. The plant self seeds and can spread around an allotment plot or garden if left uncontrolled.
Given the height of lovage compared to other herbs, it will need careful positioning to avoid blocking the light and smothering other plants a gardener may like to grow. Lovage will tolerate some shade.
The plant dies back in winter. This is a good time to divide lovage for new plants, or to thin beds from becoming too crowded.