Growing fennel is a smart way to add spice to recipes with home grown ingredients. The pungent aroma is considered to be inviting, while the rich and strong flavor is known to contribute significantly to the flavor of many dishes. Fennel contains a lot of vitamin C and has been used as a medicinal herb for digestive problems for many thousands of years. Plus, its delicate green fronds are aesthetically pleasing, making it a great addition to any garden. Read the next steps to learn how to grow fennel.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Planting the Fennel
Step 1. Choose a variety of fennel
The type of fennel you choose to grow will depend on which part of the fennel plant you want to use - the bulb (compact structure made up of leaf sheaths), leaves or seeds.
- The Fennel of Florence it is grown for its bulbous stem, which can be eaten raw, grilled or baked. You can also eat the thicker stems that sprout from the bulb, which resemble celery.
- Fennel herb it does not produce the same bulbous stem. It is grown for its delicate leaves, which are used as a herb. The herb fennel also produces seeds that taste similar to that of licorice (like the rest of the plant) and are used as a condiment.
Step 2. Plant the fennel outdoors
The process for planting both varieties of fennel is identical. The seeds should be planted directly in the garden, around the time of the last spring frost.
- Plant fennel seeds in fertile, well-drained soil. If necessary, work the soil just before planting and add some compost and soil for drainage.
- Plant the seeds about 25cm apart and cover them with a light layer of soil, about 0.3cm deep. It is certainly a good idea to plant a few more seeds than necessary, and then thin out later.
- Plant fennel away from dill or coriander - these plants tend to hybridize, and this reduces seed production and changes the flavor.
Step 3. Plant fennel indoors
If you prefer, you can plant fennel seeds in containers about 4 weeks before the last spring frost.
- Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 7-10 cm, you can accustom them to the outside temperature in a cold greenhouse or in a sheltered but cold environment before transplanting them into the garden.
- Alternatively, you can keep the fennel in a container. Since fennel is a plant with developed roots, it will require a container at least 30 cm deep, filled with light earth, with the addition of a little gravel for drainage.
- If you plant more than one fennel plant in a container of this size, it will be too crowded to produce a large bulb, but you can still benefit from the leaves and seeds.
Step 4. Take care of the fennel
Fennel grows best in full sun or partial shade and should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist. However, be careful not to over water, as this can cause the roots to rot. It is not necessary to fertilize the soil during the growing season.
- Once the bulb begins to form at the base of the stem, tamp the surrounding soil to cover it. This protects it from the sun's rays and prevents it from turning green. This process is known as "whitening" because it keeps the bulb white and sweet (this is only necessary if you intend to eat the bulb).
- Fennel is usually not affected by pests or diseases, but occasionally you may notice the presence of aphids or whiteflies on the leaves. If this happens, you can use a pyrethrin-based insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
Part 2 of 2: Collect the Fennel
Step 1. Collect the fennel leaves
You can start harvesting fennel leaves once the plant is well established.
- Don't take too many leaves at once though, as this could damage the plant.
- Fennel leaves can be used to add an aromatic anise flavor to soups, salads and other Mediterranean dishes.
Step 2. Collect the bulb
Florence fennel bulbs can be harvested once they have reached the size of a small tennis ball, usually in late summer-early autumn.
- For harvesting, cut the fennel below the bulb near the soil line. Use immediately or refrigerate for several days.
- Fennel bulbs are capable of surviving a freeze or two, so there's no rush to harvest them as soon as the weather turns cold. However, you shouldn't overgrow the fennel bulb to prevent it from becoming bitter.
Step 3. Collect the fennel seeds
Fennel seeds can be harvested when ripe and the plant's flowers have turned brown.
- The seeds remain quite loose, so the best way to collect them is to place a bowl or sheet under the plant and shake the flower head with the seeds. Alternatively, you can wrap the flower heads with gauze as you cut the stems and remove the seeds later.
- Let the seeds dry completely, then store them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. They will last for up to six months.
Step 4. Let the fennel grow like a perennial
Fennel grows as a perennial hardy in US climate zones 5 to 10. It self-seeds very easily, so if you planted once, it is likely to grow back the following spring.
- Every spring, you need to fertilize your batch of fennel with a standard fertilizer, or feed the soil with fresh (preferably homemade) compost.
- However, in the northern areas (or in areas where winter temperatures regularly drop below -10 degrees C), fennel should be treated as an annual plant and replanted every spring.
Advice
- Fennel can be an integral part of the diet of a woman who is expecting a baby or is breastfeeding, because the unique nutrients of this plant help the production of milk.
- Plant fennel during autumn in warm climates and during spring in cooler areas.
- Fennel plants can be started from cuttings. Once the plant is adult, the roots can be cut and replanted.
- To collect the seeds, tap the stem against a hard surface.
- Consider using a batch exclusively for fennel, as this has been known to hinder the growth of other plants.
- Make sure you don't start plants where coriander, cumin, or wormwood grows as they will hinder fennel growth.
- Fennel can grow up to five meters high, which makes the thin stems easy to break. Stake the fennel to support it against the wind.
- Creating your own compost will help preserve the biological integrity of your plants, and it's a smart way to benefit the environment.
- Mix any additives into the soil in time, making sure it has time to neutralize before planting.
- Check that your soil's pH level is between 6.0 and 7.0 because fennel grows best in low-acid soils.
