Welcome to Lawnmowing99! If you’re new to herb gardening or just looking to expand your collection, I’m excited to share one of my favorite discoveries: lovage. Over the years, I’ve tried planting dozens of herbs, and while some have proven difficult, lovage has always stood out as one of the best choices for an easy herb garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, lovage offers a variety of benefits that make it a perfect addition to any herb garden. Let me walk you through my journey of growing lovage, from the first time I planted it to the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
My First Encounter with Lovage
I first heard about lovage from a gardening friend who swore by it for its versatility and low-maintenance qualities. At first, I was skeptical—after all, I had tried a lot of herbs that promised to be easy to grow but ended up being temperamental or invasive. However, I decided to give lovage a shot, knowing it had a reputation for being hearty and hardy, even for beginner gardeners.
I purchased a small lovage seedling from my local nursery, and honestly, I didn’t expect much at first. I planted it in a sunny spot near my vegetable garden and watered it regularly, but that was about it. Little did I know that this humble herb would soon become one of the stars of my garden.
Why Lovage Became a Staple in My Herb Garden
As the weeks went by, I noticed that lovage not only grew quickly but also thrived without much intervention from me. The plant was incredibly easy to care for—much less fussy than my basil or cilantro plants, which often required more attention. I was amazed by how quickly it grew into a large, leafy plant with vibrant green leaves. As someone who loves herbs for both culinary use and as natural garden accents, lovage soon became a must-have in my garden.
If you’re wondering why lovage stands out, let me tell you: it’s a fantastic, low-maintenance herb that has an almost perennial quality to it. Once established, lovage can grow year after year, which makes it perfect for a long-term herb garden. In fact, I often forget to tend to it and still find that it comes back, bigger and better each season.
The Benefits of Growing Lovage
Over the years, I’ve discovered that lovage is more than just a pretty plant; it has a variety of practical uses that make it one of the best choices for an easy herb garden. Here are some of the key benefits I’ve enjoyed since adding lovage to my garden:
1. It’s a Hardy Herb
One of the first things I noticed about lovage is that it’s incredibly resilient. Whether we had a dry spell in the summer or a cold snap in the fall, lovage seemed to sail through every weather challenge without any issues. Unlike some herbs that wilt under harsh conditions, lovage thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of temperatures. Even during my busiest gardening seasons, lovage required little maintenance, making it the perfect “set-it-and-forget-it” herb.
2. It Adds Flavor to Any Dish
Another reason why lovage has earned a permanent spot in my herb garden is its unique, celery-like flavor. The leaves have a fresh, savory taste that reminds me of a mix between parsley and celery, with a slight peppery kick. Over the years, I’ve used lovage in soups, stews, salads, and even as a garnish for roasted meats. The plant’s flavor is so distinctive that it immediately elevates any dish. I also love that I can use both the leaves and the seeds, making it a versatile herb to have on hand.
3. It Attracts Beneficial Insects
As an organic gardener, I’m always looking for ways to attract beneficial insects to my garden, and lovage has been a fantastic tool in this regard. The flowers of lovage are particularly attractive to pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Over time, I’ve noticed that the more lovage I grow, the more my garden becomes buzzing with activity. Not only does this help with pollination, but the increase in beneficial insects also helps keep pest populations down. If you’re looking to create a natural balance in your herb garden, lovage is a great plant to start with.
4. It Grows Quickly and Requires Minimal Care
Once I planted lovage, I was amazed at how fast it grew. Within a few months, I had a large, bushy herb plant that provided me with fresh leaves almost year-round. As a busy gardener, I appreciated that lovage didn’t require much attention once it was established. It didn’t need constant pruning or replanting, and I didn’t have to worry about pests like I did with my more delicate herbs. Its hardy nature and rapid growth made lovage one of my go-to herbs, especially during the busy growing season when I didn’t have much time to babysit my garden.
The Challenges I Faced with Lovage
Of course, like any plant, lovage wasn’t without its challenges. While the plant is generally low-maintenance, one issue I faced was its size. Lovage can grow quite tall—sometimes reaching 4–6 feet—so I had to be mindful of its placement in the garden. I learned the hard way that if you plant lovage too close to other herbs, it can easily overshadow them, taking up valuable space and sunlight. To avoid this, I now make sure to plant lovage in a spot where it has plenty of room to spread out.
Another challenge was its ability to reseed itself. Once I let lovage flower, I ended up with a lot of baby plants sprouting up in random spots around my garden. While this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, I did have to spend some time thinning out the seedlings to keep the garden looking neat and organized. Still, considering how easy it is to propagate, I can’t complain too much about that.
Why You Should Grow Lovage in Your Herb Garden
After years of growing lovage, I can say with confidence that it’s one of the best herbs for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Its hardiness, versatility in the kitchen, and ability to attract beneficial insects make it a great addition to any herb garden. Whether you have a small balcony garden or a large backyard plot, lovage is an excellent herb to grow—especially if you’re looking for something that requires minimal care and gives you a lot in return.
Like, Share, and Subscribe for More Information!
If you’re ready to add lovage to your herb garden, I hope this information has inspired you to give it a try. It’s a hardy, flavorful, and easy-to-grow herb that’s sure to become a favorite in your garden as it has in mine. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more gardening tips and tricks. Happy gardening, and may your lovage grow strong and healthy!