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Lovage Seeds - Levisticum officinale

Regular price: $5.99

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Levisticum officinale - Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Heirloom, Untreated
Bold, Unique Flavor: Often described as a supercharged mix of celery and parsley, adding a deep, savory, and umami flavor to soups, stocks, stews, and salads.
Use the Whole Plant: Every part of the lovage plant is edible! Use the leaves as an herb, blanch the stems like celery, cook the roots like parsnips, and use the seeds as a spice similar to celery seed.
Impressive Stature: A true statement piece in the garden, this hardy perennial can grow up to 6 feet tall, creating a lush, celery-like clump.
Beneficial Insect Magnet: The small, yellow-green flowers attract a host of beneficial insects to your garden, including parasitic wasps and lacewings that help control pests naturally.
Cut-and-Come-Again Harvest: Once established, you can harvest leaves and stems throughout the growing season for a continuous supply of fresh flavor.
Cold Hardy Perennial: A reliable and low-maintenance herb that dies back in the winter and returns with vigorous growth each spring in its recommended zones.

$5.99

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USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

USDA Zones 4-8 - Lovage grows as a very hardy herbaceous perennial, dying back to the ground in winter and re-emerging reliably each spring.

Best Performance - Thrives in Zones 4-7, where temperate summer conditions allow for lush, full growth without the stress of extreme heat.

Northern Zones (4-5) - An excellent and reliable perennial in these regions. Applying a layer of mulch after the ground freezes in late fall can help protect the root system during harsh winters, ensuring a strong return in spring.

Hot Climate Zones (8) - In hotter regions, lovage benefits greatly from being planted in a location that receives afternoon shade. Consistent moisture is crucial, as the plant can struggle in intense heat and dry conditions.

Soil Temperature - Seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 60-70F. Germination can be slow and erratic, so maintaining consistent soil moisture is key.

Growing Season - As a perennial, lovage uses its first year to establish a strong root system. Harvest lightly in the first year. In subsequent years, the plant will become much larger and more productive, providing harvests from spring until fall.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

USDA Zones 4-8 - Lovage grows as a very hardy herbaceous perennial, dying back to the ground in winter and re-emerging reliably each spring.

Best Performance - Thrives in Zones 4-7, where temperate summer conditions allow for lush, full growth without the stress of extreme heat.

Northern Zones (4-5) - An excellent and reliable perennial in these regions. Applying a layer of mulch after the ground freezes in late fall can help protect the root system during harsh winters, ensuring a strong return in spring.

Hot Climate Zones (8) - In hotter regions, lovage benefits greatly from being planted in a location that receives afternoon shade. Consistent moisture is crucial, as the plant can struggle in intense heat and dry conditions.

Soil Temperature - Seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 60-70F. Germination can be slow and erratic, so maintaining consistent soil moisture is key.

Growing Season - As a perennial, lovage uses its first year to establish a strong root system. Harvest lightly in the first year. In subsequent years, the plant will become much larger and more productive, providing harvests from spring until fall.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Planting Tips

When to Sow:
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. For direct sowing, plant seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer/early fall for germination the following spring.

Sowing and Germination:

Seed Depth: Lovage seeds require light to germinate. Press the seeds firmly onto the surface of the soil and cover with a very thin layer (no more than 1/8 inch) of soil or vermiculite.

Soil: Plant in rich, moist, and well-draining soil. Amending your garden bed with compost or well-rotted manure before planting is highly recommended.

Germination: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, which can take 10-21 days. Be patient, as germination can be slow. Using a plastic dome or wrap over indoor seed trays can help maintain humidity.

Transplanting and Spacing:

Hardening Off: Before planting outdoors, gradually acclimate seedlings started indoors to outside conditions over a period of 7-10 days.

Transplanting: Transplant seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Spacing: Lovage becomes a very large plant. Space plants at least 24 inches apart to give them ample room to grow.

Ongoing Care:

Light: Lovage prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, which is beneficial in hotter climates (Zone 8).

Water: This plant thrives in consistently moist soil. Do not let the soil dry out completely, especially during hot, dry periods.

Fertilizing: Lovage is a heavy feeder. Top-dress the soil around the plant with compost each spring to encourage vigorous growth.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting leaves and stalks sparingly once the plant is well-established in its first year. In the second year and beyond, harvest freely throughout the season. The flavor of the leaves is best before the plant flowers.

Planting Tips

When to Sow:
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. For direct sowing, plant seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer/early fall for germination the following spring.

Sowing and Germination:

Seed Depth: Lovage seeds require light to germinate. Press the seeds firmly onto the surface of the soil and cover with a very thin layer (no more than 1/8 inch) of soil or vermiculite.

Soil: Plant in rich, moist, and well-draining soil. Amending your garden bed with compost or well-rotted manure before planting is highly recommended.

Germination: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, which can take 10-21 days. Be patient, as germination can be slow. Using a plastic dome or wrap over indoor seed trays can help maintain humidity.

Transplanting and Spacing:

Hardening Off: Before planting outdoors, gradually acclimate seedlings started indoors to outside conditions over a period of 7-10 days.

Transplanting: Transplant seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Spacing: Lovage becomes a very large plant. Space plants at least 24 inches apart to give them ample room to grow.

Ongoing Care:

Light: Lovage prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, which is beneficial in hotter climates (Zone 8).

Water: This plant thrives in consistently moist soil. Do not let the soil dry out completely, especially during hot, dry periods.

Fertilizing: Lovage is a heavy feeder. Top-dress the soil around the plant with compost each spring to encourage vigorous growth.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting leaves and stalks sparingly once the plant is well-established in its first year. In the second year and beyond, harvest freely throughout the season. The flavor of the leaves is best before the plant flowers.

Lovage Seeds - Levisticum officinale

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