Lovage

Lovageis a robust perennial herb that has been cultivated in Europe, growing up to 6 feet tall, offering an impressive, aromatic addition to any garden. With its dark green, celery-like stalks and rich, herbaceous scent, this plant is both a culinary and ornamental delight. Its leaves are used as an herb, its roots as a vegetable, and its seeds as a spice, especially in southern European cuisine. The leaves and stem of the lovage plant add an intense celery-like flavor, with hints of parsley and anise, to soups, stews and stocks or pork and poultry dishes. This herb is believed to possess several medicinal properties, including aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. Not only will this perennial herb provide an abundance of flavor, but it will also give your garden a lush, fragrant atmosphere year after year.

Also Known As: Levisticum Officinale, Sea Parsley, Garden Lovage, Maggi Herb, Wild Celery, Old English Lovage, Love Parsley, Mountain Celery, European Lovage, Italian Lovage, Lovage Root.

Plant Name:	Lovage, European
Latin Name:	Levisticum officinale
Days to Germinate:	14-21
Days to Harvest:	90
Plant Height:	6 - 8 Feet
Spread:	3 Feet
Growth Habit:	Clumping
USDA Zones:	3-8
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally cold-stratify Lovage seeds for at least 30 days then start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant after the first hard frost in early Spring to cold-stratify seeds. Plants will germinate in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights. For blooms in late Spring of the following year, sow outdoors after the first hard frost in Fall to cold-stratify seeds.

To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 2-3 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can be separated and spaced 2-3 feet apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	3 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally add fertilizer. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest Lovage plants have reached a good size, typically after its second year of growth. Begin harvesting the leaves once plants are well-established, usually in late spring or early summer. To harvest, simply snip off the outer leaves at the base, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. Be sure not to cut too much at once, as this can weaken the plant. If you want to harvest the stems, wait until they are thick and sturdy, then cut them close to the base. You can also harvest the seeds in late summer once they turn brown. Be sure to leave enough foliage so the plant can continue growing throughout the season.