Lovage
A tall perennial herb with strongly celery-scented leaves.
Lovage seeds
£2.49 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
March–May from seed or divisions
Plant out
Give it a permanent spot with room to grow; pick young leaves sparingly.
Harvest
April–October
Conditions
Sun
Partial shade is best, but tolerates full sun if kept moist
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during dry spells; avoid waterlogging
Soil
Rich, well-drained, fertile soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
15-20cm (6-8 inches) between plants
Containers
Excellent in pots (15-20cm diameter) or window boxes
Indoors
Can be grown on a sunny windowsill year-round for fresh leaves
Care and harvest
Feeding
Minimal feeding needed; a balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks if in pots
Pruning
Snip outer leaves at the base as needed to encourage new growth
Harvesting
Give it a permanent spot with room to grow; pick young leaves sparingly.
Storage
Keep stems in a glass of water in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze chopped
Good companions: Tomatoes, Asparagus, Carrots