Do you want to grow Fennel?
Growing fennel is easy and rewarding. It’s a great plant for novice gardeners, as it requires little maintenance and can be grown in most climates. Plus, the seeds are delicious! You can use them whole or ground up to flavor dishes like Italian sausage, salads, bread, soups, and more.
If you’re looking for an herb that will give your cooking some extra pizzazz—and make your home smell amazing while doing so—you need to look no further than fennel seed. This versatile spice has been used since ancient times as both food and medicine (it was even found in King Tut’s tomb), but today we mostly enjoy its sweet licorice-like taste on our favorite foods. And if you’re growing it yourself at home, there’s nothing better than fresh herbs right from your own backyard! So what are you waiting for?
Start planting those seeds today!
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
When is the best time of the year to plant Fennel
The best time of the year to plant Fennel is in the spring. Fennel is a cool-weather crop, so it will do well in the springtime when the temperatures are still cool. Fennel can also be planted in the fall, but it may not grow as well since the temperatures will be colder than in the spring.
If you are planting Fennel in the spring, make sure to plant it after the last frost. The ground should also be moist and well-drained. Fennel can grow in a variety of soil types, but it prefers soil that is rich in organic matter.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Fennel
Fennel can be planted in the garden or in a pot on the patio. In most cases, fennel should be grown from seed. Fennel grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. The plants should be spaced about 18 inches apart.
When growing fennel in the garden, it is important to remember that the plants will grow quite tall. Fennel can reach a height of 4 feet or more. In order to avoid having the plants shade other vegetables, you should plant fennel in the back of the garden or at the edges.
Fennel can also be grown in pots on the patio. When planting fennel in a pot, it is best to use a container that has drainage holes. Be sure the soil drains well before adding water. The soil should be allowed to dry slightly between watering times.
Because the plants are likely to need more sun when grown in containers, they will need to be placed in a spot that receives full sun. Fennel can also be grown in partial shade, but it may not grow as tall.
How Often Should I Watering Fennel
Fennel is a plant that is drought-tolerant and can survive in dry conditions. It is best to water fennel when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. You can either water the fennel by hand or with a garden hose. When watering the fennel, water it for at least 30 minutes. It is important to keep the soil moist around the roots of this plant, and this can be done with deep watering several times a week or with shallow daily watering.
Deciding when to water your fennel will depend on where you live and what season it is. In the summer, you may need to water fennel every day, while in the winter you may only need to water it once a week. Fennel is a perennial plant, so it will continue to grow even if it doesn’t receive regular watering. However, if the fennel isn’t getting enough water, it will start to wilt or die.
When and How to Harvest Fennel
Fennel takes about two to three weeks to germinate. Once the plants have grown, Fennel will need about six to eight weeks before they are ready to harvest. Fennel can be harvested throughout the summer, but it will have the most flavor if it is harvested in the early fall.
To harvest fennel, cut off the stalks at the base of the plant. You can then either eat the fennel bulbs raw or cook them. Fennel bulbs can be roasted, boiled, or steamed. The leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked.
If you would like to harvest the seeds, wait until the flower heads have dried and then collect them.
Once a fennel plant has been harvested it will produce another stalk of flowers, so you can continue to harvest the stalks for about six months after planting. Be careful when harvesting fennel stalks because they are very delicate and can break easily.
Different Ways to Store Fennel
Fennel can be stored in the fridge, wrapped in a damp paper towel, for up to a week. You can also freeze fennel by blanching it in boiling water for two minutes, then transferring it to an ice bath. Once it’s cooled, you can store it in a zipper-lock bag in the freezer for up to six months.
Another option is to dry the fennel. Cut the stalks off the bulb, then cut the bulb in half lengthwise. Slice each half into thin strips, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, or until the strips are crisp. Let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
Other things of interest about Fennel
- It tastes like licorice.
- Fennel will grow in your backyard, with little effort.
- You can brew fennel tea by steeping the seeds (crispy & not crushed or chewed) in hot water.
- When eaten, fennel seeds aid digestion (good for relief of gas). source
- it makes your breath smell like you just brushed your teeth.
- Fennel is the ancient symbol of love and affection in India, China, and Japan and is sometimes given as a wedding gift.
- Fennel is a diuretic and can be helpful in relieving water retention. source
- Tt has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve pain associated with menstrual cramps. source
- Fennel oil is used as a natural remedy for congestion, sinus infections, and earaches. source
Conclusion: Now that you have learned more about how to grow Fennel, what are you waiting for? This herb is perfect for novice gardeners and can be grown in most climates. The seeds are delicious and can be used to flavor dishes like Italian sausage and salads. Learning how to grow Fennel is easy and rewarding!