Lovage

Lovage is an herbaceous perennial that can grow up to two meters high. It is also known as "mountain ache" or perpetual celery. It is easily recognized by its yellow flowers and the smell it gives off when you cut a branch. It is an aromatic plant. It is well known for flavoring your soups, stews, simmered dishes or broths. It can also be used in herbal tea. It is part of the Apiaceae family. There is only one variety, it is only known under different names. It is easy to grow.

You can sow the lovage at the end of the summer in a greenhouse, to transplant the plants in the vegetable garden or in the garden the following spring. Otherwise, you can sow them in the open ground from March to June. You can also cultivate it in pot, however, the pot must be deep because the root of the ache of mountains is important and inserts itself deeply in the ground. It likes the sun as well as the half-shade. It likes fresh and rich ground. It is necessary that this one is well drained for the good development of the plant.

If the perpetual celery supports well small periods of dryness, it will be necessary to mulch the foot and to water it when the ground is too dry. To allow for proper leaf development, you will need to remove the incipient flower stalks. You can collect lovage branches regularly from April to October. To enjoy the tenderness of the stems, they should be harvested before flowering.