It smells spicy and evokes associations with vegetable broth – lovage. But when is the time for the harvest? These and other questions answered here.
When and how should lovage be harvested?
The best time to harvest lovage leaves is in spring (April to September) before flowering. Cut the stems at the base or at a branch and remove dirty or lice-infested parts. Lovage seeds can be harvested in late summer, roots in spring or late autumn.
Leaves Harvest Time
The best time to harvest lovage leaves is in spring. This herb usually sprouts in April. In May the first large leaves have emerged and can be harvested.
The harvest extends until September. But generally the leaves should be harvested before flowering begins. You should also know that the young, fresh leaves taste pleasantly spicy in spring. Over the course of the summer, their proportion of bitter substances increases.
When can the seeds and roots be harvested?
Very few people are interested in harvesting the seeds and roots of the lovage. But if you plan to do this, harvest the seeds in late summer (assuming the lovage has been allowed to flower) and the roots in early spring or late fall.
How are the leaves harvested?
The leaves are ideally harvested along with the stems. To do this, the stems are cut off at the base or at a shoot branch. Alternatively, you can simply pick the stems. The harvested stems and leaves are cleaned of dirt and tied together into a bouquet.
Some gardeners wanted to remove it and mercilessly cut off all the 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 down to the ground during harvest. As a rule, it sprouts 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. It tastes excellent with garlic. The seeds are often used as a spice for bread and cheese. The leaves can be used to season the following dishes:
- Stews
- Soups
- Sauces
- Meat dishes
Tips & Tricks
Caution: Keep your eyes open 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.
