Garden herbs

Herb: Lovage (Levisticum Officinale)

Background: Lovage was used in early times as a bath herb. it cleans and deodorises the skin.

Garden herb type: Perennial.

Growing this herb: Sow Lovage seeds in the spring if in its permanent position or in summer if you want to transplant the plants in the autumn. Only a few plants are needed. The roots can be divided in the spring just as the leaves appear. Make sure that the roots have a shoot and replant them 60 cm apart.

Soil condition and garden position: Lovage requires a moist, sunny position. Plant them at the back of the herb garden as they grow very tall.

Appearance: Grows to 150cm.

Uses: Lovage leaves are used in soups and gravies. The leaves have a celery like taste and so it can be used to good effect in vegetable soup. The young stalks and leaves are tasty cooked as a vegetable. Peel or scrape the stalks, chop them and boil in salted water until tender. Serve with a white sauce. The crushed seeds and chopped leaves can be added to omelettes, the seeds having the stronger flavour. The young stems of Lovage can be candied like Angelica and a good cordial can be made from this. Lovage broth made from the seeds is traditionally a diuretic and appetite stimulant.

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