- Harvest time of the leaves
- When can the seeds and roots be harvested?
- How are the leaves harvested?
- How can the harvested lovage be used?
- tips and tricks
It smells spicy and evokes associations with vegetable broth - lovage. But when is the time for harvest? These and other questions answered here.
Harvest time of the leaves
The best time to harvest lovage leaves is in spring. As a rule, this herb sprout in April. In May the first large leaves have developed and can be harvested.
The harvest lasts until September. But in general, the leaves should be harvested before flowering begins. You should also know that the young and fresh leaves taste pleasantly spicy in spring. In the course of the summer, their proportion of bitter substances increases.
When can the seeds and roots be harvested?
Few are interested in harvesting the seeds and roots of lovage. But if you plan to do so, harvest the seeds in late summer (provided the lovage is allowed to bloom) and the roots in early spring or late fall.
How are the leaves harvested?
The leaves are ideally harvested together with the stems. To do this, the stems are cut off at the base or at a shoot branching. Alternatively, you can simply pick the stems. The harvested stems and leaves are cleaned of dirt and tied into a bouquet.
Some gardeners wanted to remove it and mercilessly cut off all shoots down to the ground. Pulling the roots out of the ground didn't work - "What the heck - the plant is definitely dead." But fallacy… The lovage can be radically cut off down to the ground during harvest. As a rule, it drives out again because it is extremely willing to survive.
How can the harvested lovage be used?
The maggi herb can be used fresh, dried or frozen. The taste harmonises excellently with garlic. The seeds are often used as a spice for bread and cheese. The leaves can be used to flavor the following dishes:
- stews
- soups
- sauces
- meat dishes
tips and tricks
Warning: keep your eyes peeled when harvesting lovage. It is not uncommon for hungry black lice to settle on its leaves and stems. You should remove these animals immediately after harvesting or throw away infested parts.