Lovage

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a plant, the leaves and seeds or fruit of which are used to flavor food, especially in South European cuisine. It is a tall (3 to 9 ft) perennial that vaguely resembles its cousin celery in appearance and in flavor.

Location
Choose a well-drained spot in a sunny position or in partial shade.

Sowing
Sow seeds in autumn or spring in a drill 1cm (½in) deep, either in a seedbed or in the plant's final position.

Thinning
When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to 30cm (12in) apart; or transplant them to their final positions at the same spacing. Bought plants should be planted in the same way.

Aftercare
During summer, remove any flowering stems to promote the growth of young leaves and to stop the plant from setting seed.

At the end of the season cut down the stems to a few inches above ground level.

Harvesting
Leaves can be picked as required from early summer into autumn.

Troubles
Lovage is a very pest-free herb to grow and is seldom bothered by any insect, fungus or disease problems.