Lovage: A Smart Choice

Lovage, an old time herb, is an excellent, healthy substitute for celery. The leaves, the stalk, the root, and even the seed have a celery like flavor. With news from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), that celery ranks at the top of the "Dirty Dozen" commercial vegetables which tested for large amounts of pesticides, home gardeners should consider the flavorful and nutritious herb, lovage.

EWG, in it's list of the "Dirty Dozen", recommends buying organically grown foods including celery to avoid pesticide residue which remains in many fruits and vegetables despite washing and peeling. The list is the result of an eight year study using USDA documentation.

Certainly, celery can also be successfully grown in the organic home vegetable plot as an alternative to commercial celery grown with pesticides, although it can be somewhat of a high maintenance crop. Celery is perhaps one of the most difficult, yet healthy vegetables in any garden. But it demands a long, five month, growing season and plenty of water.

The seeds are extremely tiny and once they germinate, celery requires a lot attention. Celery needs plenty of fertilizer and requires diligent attention. Slugs, snail and aphids are a constant threat and need to be monitored closely. Yet because of the challenges involved, a celery harvest is often the ultimate goal of gardeners. A great celery crop can be seen as the pinnacle of success in the art of growing.

Enter reality and practicality; celery for many gardeners is too time consuming in a hurried world; growing seasons in northern areas are not even close to five months, nor do some gardeners care to become experts on the crop and it's requirements, which include blanching the plants. The alternative, besides finding an organic farm, is to plant, lovage.

Lovage is a hardy perennial, almost maintenance free plant, which can be as high as a small shrub it's second year. Lovage should be planted because of it's height in a corner area of the garden or yard. One or two plants are normally suggested for an average family. It enjoys average soil with some added aged compost every year. Lovage, can also take some partial shade.

Lovage, if allowed, will send up a flower stalk the second year. This can either be cut or allowed to develop and the the seeds can be harvested when they turn brown. The seeds taste very similar and can be used as a substitute for celery seed. The seeds will also, if not harvested, will germinate new lovage plants the following growing season.

The fresh leaves and stems can be used in recipes which call for celery; added to stews, chicken soup and a variety of other dished, they impart a celery like flavor. Some chiefs mention to be careful when using the herb since it does have a stronger than celery like flavor. The leaves can also be blanched for a few seconds, dipped in cold water immediately, and frozen for future use. Lovage leaves can also be dried.

After several years, the parent plant can be dug and the roots divided and re-planted, given as gifts to others, or used in the kitchen or stored for future kitchen use. Roots, to be stored, should be washed, trimmed, cut into small pieces and dried either in the sun or a food dehydrator. They can then be stored in air tight jars.

Lovage can be either started indoors or directly in the garden. The seeds are large and easy to handle and will germinate in about two weeks depending on weather condition. The plant should reach about two feet tall it's first year. Pickings from the plant can be taken during it's first year of growth.

The plant does best in full sun, moist soil, and with some added compost. It does attract many beneficial insects with it's large flowers. It is not known to be bothered by any harmful pests; perhaps, the only common pest is an occasional slug or snail depending on weather conditions.

Lovage is a great choice as a pesticide free, celery like herb. Easy to grow and maintain, it also has reputed medicinal properties. It is an attractive, tall plant, which can be used effectively in a garden setting as a border plant.

Lovage is a smart choice for health, flavor and can be a top money saver in the organic home garden.