i just read about this herb and would like to try growing it. is it easy, and i mean eeeeeeeeeasy from seed, or should i go the trade or purchase route?
also, in cooking do i use both the leaves and stalk? can the leaves be frozen like parsley?
thanks,
debi z and my little gardening buddy who are getting ready to enjoy and unseasonably 85F day today, in the garden with my crocus and daffodils. :)
I stuck mine in the shade, in thick clay soil, on the top of a rise (gets pretty dry sometimes, other times lots of rain). I think it would prefer better living conditions, but it does ok there, getting about 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall every summer and it blooms & sets seed too, although I've not collected the seed.
The leaves I have used (in split pea soup for instance) & it is vaguely celery like, not unpleasant. I just recently dug some (it spreads but not invasively) for a trade and the root is very pungently celery-scented. I haven't tried drying the leaves or anything, mainly I like having an edible landscaping so it serves it's purpose by just being edible and by being shade tolerant.
debi_z, I have Lovage in my herb garden and it is great. I bought mine as a plant. Looks and smells just like celery. It has come up for the last 3 years - although the herblist in my MG class said it has a two-year life. The Swallowtail caterpillars love it and devour it each summer. I would assume it can be frozen although I haven't done that. Good luck with it!
GG1204
My lovage is at least 7 years old and the original plant is still there. It seems to spread along a thick woody root although not fast or far. So that blows the 2 years of life theory right out of the water :)
My lovage has been in the same spot for 5 years although I can't be certain it's the original plant. It's in a raised bed of clay based soil in full sun. Gets watered with the vegetables. Certainly it does spread by root growth and also makes seed that sprouts (seemingly) easily so this could be the child of the original plant.
The leaves are strongly celery flavored and scented to me a little goes a long way. The mature plant stalks can be used as straws, (my kids thought that was fun). I haven't tried freezing it but the leaves dry well for a celery flavor in dishes over winter.
My original plant was grown from seed. If you've grown small seeds to plants before you should have no problem, but it's readily availble at home stores this time of years to purchase as a plant as well.
Chris
It freezes very well. Just put the leaves still attached to the stem in a baggie and plop in the freezer.
It is delicous in Potato Soup--Potato Salad. Anything that calls for celery, you can use lovage instead.
My clump is years old too and very hardy here in zone 5.
gotta get me some. thanks gardeners.,
debi z
so far no luck on finding any lovage. i'll be trying at home depot and lowe's today. i've looked at local nurseries, online catalogues i've ordered from and thought of ordering from. no luck so far, but i'll keep looking.
thanks all debi z
debi, if you find any sources, please let me know. I have been searching for a lovage plant and have not yet found any. Thanks! -- Jean
I have seed if you'd like to give it a try. Email me if you'd like to send me a sase.
Chris
Grdnobssd@aol.com
