Dec 29 /

how to grow fennel

Fennel is high in vitamin C and has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive issues for many thousands of years. Sow seeds in the early spring. Once the bulbs begin to form at the base of the stem, push up the surrounding soil to shade them from the sun and keep them from turning green. Water in well and keep moist. Can I keep small plants grown from seed in pots and set them out in the spring? Planting fennel by seed is the much easier option. Closely related to Parsley, Fennel is popular in Italian and other Mediterranean recipes. You can keep the fennel in a container. Our, "I've never grown fennel before. In the latest instalment of her series on vegetable garden staples, Clare Foster digs up the history of Florence fennel, and offers advice on its cultivation. Last Updated: June 4, 2020 Fennel are grown from seed. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for several days. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? The only stipulation it requires is that it be planted in well drained soil. Creating your own compost will maintain the organic integrity of your plants, and is a wonderful way to benefit the environment. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Fennel seeds are slow to germinate. Eventually, someone recognized its use as a flavoring for eggs and fish. "My techniques were pretty much on target, except I learned a couple of better tactics such as: "Once it has, "I have always had bronze fennel (herb) and love eating the fronds and seeds. It's organic matter. Fennel is easy to grow. I have a fennel bulb that started to grow roots. Sow the seeds into weed-free soil that’s been raked to a fine texture, setting seeds about 1cm (0.5in) deep. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Growing fennel from seed If you want to get an early start with Florence fennel, sow seeds into modules under cover. Best regards. % of people told us that this article helped them. Make the very earliest sowings of herb fennel under cover or on a warm windowsill. You should space plants 12-18-inches apart with 2-3 feet between rows. Fennel is a short lived perennial that blooms best in the second year. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to hold magical qualities and people hung fennel plants over their doors to drive away evil spirits. This plant can tolerate light frosts, but needs protection when young. There are two types of fennel to grow in containers: Florence fennel, which is grown for bulbs and herb fennel, which is grown for leaves and seeds and used as a herb. Native to southern Europe, the fennel herb is now naturalized throughout Europe, North America and Australia and grown in gardens all over the world. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! As fennel is a deep-rooted plant, it will require a container at last 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep, filled with light soil with some added gravel for drainage. established itself, you may only need to water it if there is a drought. Found the pictures, information, and tips very helpful. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learning how to grow fennel bulb is great because ALL part of the plant are edible and super delicious! http://www.almanac.com/content/frost-chart-united-states, http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/fennel/, http://herbgardening.com/growingfennel.htm, http://usagardener.com/how_to_grow_herbs/how_to_grow_fennel.php, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. For challenged growers - Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep and position in a sunny spot. Seed can be sown as soon as the soil warms in the spring. Fennel plants can be started from cuttings. There’s only one restriction on how to grow fennel: don’t plant it near dill. For more advice, including how to grow fennel indoors, keep reading! Space seedlings or thin plants to 10-12" apart, in rows 18-24 inches apart. Fennel self-sows easily, so it's likely that if you plant it once, you'll see fennel popping up in your garden each spring thereafter. Follow these how to grow fennel instructions for perfect fennel every year. Fennel can be cut back early in the season to encourage bushier growth and should be deadheaded for seed harvest and to prevent over seeding of new plants. Thank you. Sow Florence fennel seeds successionally between May – June, 2cm deep in rows 38-45cm apart, thinning to 30cm between plants as they grow larger. Plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep. If so, you can use a pyrethrin-based insecticidal soap to get rid of them. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Name – Foeniculum dulce Family – Apiaceae (parsley family) Type – biennial. Sometimes living things look unique. Sweet fennel: It is used in culinary and medicines, and is a standard variety for producing dry leaves for cooking. ", "I now know a lot more about fennel, its uses, and now I'm going to check out some recipes. I usually boil the leaves and stem of the fennel plant. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Herb fennel will grow perfectly well in a position in full sun or in partial shade. How to Grow Fennel . How To Grow Fennel. However, you shouldn't allow the fennel bulb to grow too large, or it will turn bitter. They're good for your digestive system. Plan to plant fennel in the Fruska Gora mountain near my town. Fennel is a plant for which the roots are the part we eat and its nutritious and culinary value is exceptional. The Egyptians and the Chinese used it strictly for medicinal purposes and their lore was brought back to Europe by early traders. However, you cannot eat the fennel afterwards. In addition to its kitchen contributions, planting fennel will attract beneficial insects to the garden and its leaves are a favorite with the caterpillars of the swallowtail butterfly. Fennel bulb is the edible bulb part of the fennel herb and is often prepared as a root vegetable. Fennel is a sun-loving plant, so plant it where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sun. By Clare Foster. You will want to make sure you choose a pot that is large enough, as fennel produces a large taproot that requires lots of depth. The pungent aroma is considered inviting, while the rich, earthy flavor is known to significantly contribute to the taste of many dishes. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. How long does it take a fennel plant to grow seeds? WaterinG. Below are critical tips to remember when harvesting fennel: Harvest your fennel bulbs once they become 2 inches from one end to the other. This is called “blanching” and similar to the techniques used for growing celery. ", "I'm a pure novice, and the entire article was a great help! Caring for and Harvesting Fennel in the Garden. How can I save it and grow a plant from it? It should not be planted in the same area as dill or coriander because the plant may cross-pollinate easily—seed production will be reduced. Fennel bulbs will survive a frost or two, so there is no rush to harvest them as soon as the weather turns cold. Use a frost cloth to cover. Sow in early spring in small pots or modules under cover, or in mid-spring direct where it is to grow. Mature fennel can grow to 5 feet or more so it is best planted in the back of the garden where it wont shade other sun loving plants. What Are Hybrid Tea Roses And Grandiflora Roses? This shades it from the sun and prevents it from turning green. Early fall or late spring, after the final frost, are ideal times of year to plant fennel. Fennel can grow up to five feet tall, which leaves the thin stems susceptible to breakage. A pale-skinned beauty, Florence fennel is one of the more unusual additions to the vegetable garden. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Support wikiHow by apart when they are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) Containers are ideal if you only have space in your vegetable garden. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This aromatic plant is grown all throughout the world for its amazing aroma as well as for its culinary uses. The latter offers a higher survival rate, so we’ll cover that one. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. If you would like to grow fennel for its leaves only, choose sweet, leaf, or bronze fennel. ", fennel. But if you want to try the outdoors, simply cast a few seeds into the bedding where you’d like them to grow and water every now and again. You’ll find two methods of propagation when researching how to grow fennel. You can plant fennel in the ground or in containers. Alternatively, you can wrap the seed heads with cheesecloth while you're cutting the stalks and remove the seeds later. Soaking your seeds for a day or two before sowing will ensure better germination. Seeds sprout readily when planted after the last spring frost; keep in mind this plant will be rather large when mature. Then, cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water them regularly to keep the soil moist. Plant more than you need and thin them out as soon as they have two sets of true leaves, leaving behind the strongest seedlings to grow. Growing Conditions for Fennel Fennel is considered either a perennial or annual herb, depending on the region where you live. Herb Fennel Types. You will find that the fennel (Foeniculum) plant produces more leaves if you remove the flowers after they have bloomed. Growing Fennel. The seeds are very loose, so the best way to collect them is to place a large bowl or sheet underneath the plant and shake the seed head. How to Grow Fennel – Climate & Growing Conditions. Plant fennel after the last spring frost. For more advice, including how to grow fennel indoors, keep reading! Plants will begin flowering about 90 days after planting. This came from the Old English fenol or finol, which in turn came from the Latin feniculum or foeniculum, the diminutive of fenum or faenum, meaning "hay". Its flowers are yellow in color and edible. Fennel loves full sun and well-draining soil, though it will tolerate poor soil. Make sure to give it enough water and a sunny spot. If your soil is on the clay side, add some sharp sand to the bed. ", town's people have had allergy attacks from ambrosia, so I'm helping my family and friends to survive it with these plants. Growing Fennel in a Container or Indoors If you don’t have a lot of space in your garden, don’t worry – you can easily grow fennel in a container. At that point, you can begin to cut off the leaves, but wait until the late summer if you want to harvest the bulb. The Egyptians and the Chinese used it strictly for medicinal purposes and their lore was brought back to Europe by early traders. Start with Step 1 below to learn how to grow fennel. Latin Foeniculum vulgare Fennel does not require rich loam to grow properly. Approved. The word "fennel" developed from the Middle English fenel or fenyl. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Fertile, well-draining soil in full sunlight is the gold standard for most garden plants, and fennel is no exception. If you place your fennel in a spot that’s succeptible to winds in your yard, you may want to stake it for support. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Harvest and dry seeds as the flower heads fade. Once the bulb begins to form at the base of the stem, hill up the surrounding soil to cover it. Now, I have to make some changes and I think plant it next to my rhubarb! The fennel leaves can be used to add an aromatic, anise or licorice flavor to soups, salads and other Mediterranean-style diets. Not recommended because a 300 mm pot would only accommodate one plant. Cross pollination results in strangely flavored seeds for both plants! How to Grow Fennel in a Greenhouse. This article received 12 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. ", weather here in Norfolk UK, I'll have to keep the plants indoors till the frost has gone. How and in what ways can I use fennel seeds? Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Growing fennel is a wonderful way to add spice to recipes using home grown ingredients. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 188,921 times. I split one fennel plant into several. (Check the plant tag for more information.) If so grow the fennel in a peat pot, but do not expect all the plants to survive. By Clare Foster. The fennel herb (Foeniculum vulgare) has a long and varied history of use. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Fennel is not usually affected by pests or disease, but occasionally you will spot aphids or whiteflies on the leaves. Plant the fennel seeds in fertile, well drained soil. When planting, space fennel seedlings from 4 to 12 inches apart, depending on variety. Like these other herbs, fennel plants produce aromatic fruits which are commonly, though incorrectly, referred to as seeds. Sow one seed per module, as the seedlings don’t like having their roots disturbed when transplanted. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Stake your fennel to support it against the wind. Grow greenhouse fennel plants in a container that is at least a foot (30 cm.) This is because fennel has a long tap root that doesn’t like to be divided or moved. Soak the seeds in water for a couple of days prior to planting to help speed up the germination process. The fennel plant isn’t picky, but for the best results, give it a good start. Your soil might be too wet. 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 will still be able to enjoy the leaves and seeds. Fennel doesn’t play well with others — especially vegetables! If it is springtime, you can plant the fennel in your garden. Today, its crisp anise flavo… Shutterstock. Gave me lots of relevant information. Otherwise, you may choose the bulb fennel. How to Grow Sweet Fennel Herb Plant Perennial, Nigella Hispanica. If you wish, you can earth the bulbs up when the bulbs are the size of golf balls in order to make them more white. Fennel can be an integral part of an expectant or nursing mother's diet, as nutrients that are exclusive to this plant aid in milk production. While classified as a herb, Fennel is a popular European vegetable. Will they produce? Cumin Plant Care: How Do You Grow Cumin Herbs, Fennel Vs Anise: What’s The Difference Between Anise And Fennel, Growing Carrots For Black Swallowtail Butterflies: Do Black Swallowtails Eat Carrots, Decorating With Plants – How Plants Can Transform A Space, Winter Orchid Requirements: Growing Orchids During Winter, Indoor Plant Problems: Mistakes People Make With Houseplants, Cleome Spider Flower – How To Grow Cleome. In fact, fennel is good for diabetics. Growing Instructions The bulb of the fennel plant grows at the base of the stalks, but not underground. Propagating Mums: Growing Mums From Cuttings And Seeds, Periwinkle Care – How To Grow Periwinkle Plants, Winter Planning Process – Make To-Do Lists Happen, Fake Tree For The Holidays And Why I Love it, What Is The Winter Solstice: First Day Of Winter History, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories. Don't take too many leaves at once though, or you might harm the plant. Both grow best in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Allow the seeds to dry completely, then store them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. The Latin word for the plant was ferula, which is now used as the genus name of a related plant. My fennel plant is rotting at the base. Plant the seeds approximately ten inches apart and cover them with a light layer of soil, about. I add it to soups and stews, it is even good in baked items like muffins, scones, etc. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Rubrum: Also known as Smokey fennel, it has aromatic leaves. It takes about three months for fennel to mature. Plants may be divided, but this isn’t as easy as it is with other garden plants and often proves unsatisfactory. Do you grow fennel on clay? If the top inch of soil is dry, give it a water. If necessary, loosen the soil a little before planting and add in some compost and a little soil for drainage. To thresh the seeds, slap the stalk against a hard surface. Planting fennel in rich, well fertilized soil is not recommended, because the plant will lose a lot of its aromatic oils and taste if well fed. Fennel thrives in hot, dry climates, but growing fennel can be done in nearly all garden climates. It propagates well from seed. Yes. 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 will still be able to enjoy the leaves and seeds. Mix any additives into the soil in advance, making certain that it has time to neutralize before planting season. However, in northern zones (or areas where winter temperatures regularly drop below 15 degrees F/ -10 degrees C) fennel should be treated as an annual and will need to be replanted each spring. Harvest your fennel bulbs … Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. By using our site, you agree to our. Florence fennel needs a position in full sun. It grows best in temperatures that range between 21-24 degrees Celsius or low- to mid-70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be direct seeded into your garden after your last frost. "", love to roast it or have it in salad. Florence Fennel is grown for its bulbous stem, which can be eaten raw, grilled or baked. I use fennel seeds in most everything. They will keep for up to six months. Directly sow Fennel seeds into your garden as early in the season as the ground can be worked. This article has been viewed 188,921 times. Fennel can survive light frosts, so if you live in zones 6 to 9, you can leave your fennel plants outdoors during the winter. You can even grow it in a pot if you are short on space. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Plant your fennel during the fall in warm climates, and during the spring in cooler places. If successful, the plant will start to flower (as fennel does in its second year) and give seeds. Once the seedlings have grown to height of 3 or 4 inches (7.6 or 10.2 cm), you can. Thursday 22 August 2019. You can sow them directly outdoors or in pots. ", "It told me how to grow fennel successfully. It's easily understood and descriptive, too! Container Growing. This article has been viewed 188,921 times. Or has it rained a lot recently? unlocking this expert answer. Be sure not to start your plants where any coriander, caraway or wormwood is growing as these will impede the fennel's growth. This was a very good article which spelled out in detail how to grow the bulb fennel and I'm glad I read it before I planted, because I was going to plant it next to my coriander. How do I stop fennel from 'bolting'/going to seed before I get to harvest the bulb? Sow into pots of seed compost and cover with perlite. When growing fennel, choose a sunny location in the back of a well drained bed. In addition, its delicate, green fronds are aesthetically pleasing, making fennel an excellent addition to any garden. The Story . Once established, fennel herb doesn’t need much care. To grow fennel, start by planting some fennel seeds 10 inches apart in fertile, well-draining soil right around the last frost in spring. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to hold magical qualities and people hung fennel plants over their doors to drive away evil spirits. 22 Aug 2019. Today, its crisp anise flavor makes it a favorite of cooks everywhere. Fennel is grown for its leaves, these can be harvested as soon as the plant has flowered. With the unusually cold, "The article gave a lot of clearly-explained, hence easily-understood, useful and interesting knowledge about, "Just growning fennel for the first time and hope to get health benefits as I am now older and need help with, "From start to harvest, this article gave all the needed information. Plant the fennel far away from any dill or coriander -- these plants tend to cross-pollinate, which reduces seed production and affects the taste. Height – 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary to rich. Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. I wanted to have some bulb fennel as I, "Helped me learn how to plant and harvest fennel. You can use an almanac to determine when the last frost typically occurs in your area. In the first year, fennel will grow to about 60cm (24″) tall, but in mild areas plants can reach 2m (6′) tall. As fennel is a deep-rooted plant, it will require a container at last 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep, filled with light soil with some added gravel for drainage. It loves sunshine. Fennel prefers a moist environment, so water consistently if you want bitterless bulbs. Every spring, you should fertilize your fennel patch with a standard fertilizer, or nourish the soil with some fresh (preferably. To grow fennel seeds successfully, it’s best to wait until spring. ", "As I have never grown fennel before, it was good to see the pictures of the plant. Is it good? It is also possible to eat the thicker stalks which sprout from the bulb, as they are similar to celery. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Grow-Fennel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Grow-Fennel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Grow-Fennel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Grow-Fennel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Grow-Fennel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Grow-Fennel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Grow-Fennel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Grow-Fennel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Grow-Fennel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Grow-Fennel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Grow-Fennel-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Grow-Fennel-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"