Fennel is one of those herbs that seems to be used often on cooking shows, so I decided that I would give it a try in my own herb garden. Fennel when eaten fresh has a curious black licorice flavor, but takes on more savory notes when cooked. It can be used in a variety ways, and since it is easy to grow it is worth giving a try. Take a look below at how you can grow fennel in your own garden and get smashing results.
How to Grow Fennel
How to plant fennel:
When planting fennel you want to use seedlings that are about 6 inches in height. This will ensure that the plants are hardy and ready to perform. Plant in well drained soil and in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. 6 hours of direct sun is advised. When planting your seedlings, you want to place them 8-10 inches apart from each other. Note that fennel grows quite tall, so it is wonderful to use in cutting gardens or in back rows of your outdoor landscaping.
How to plant fennel in pots:
Planting fennel in pots is an option and how I grow my own. You want to be sure you follow the same guidelines above, especially making sure that your pot has proper drainage holes. If you don’t have an area that gets direct sun for 6 hours, a pot is advised because you can always relocate it to the sunny portions of the yard.
How to care for fennel seedlings:
Fennel requires such little maintenance. The plant may attract caterpillars so just pick them off as you see them. You can also use a food safe repellant. One benefit of fennel is that it attracts certain species of butterflies, which is always a nice perk. Your fennel plants may get quite tall, so using some sort of support or stake is always a great idea.
Water your fennel plants once per week at least an inch if not two inches of water. Never allow the soil to completely dry or get soggy. Cutting your fennel plant back early in the year can help it grow bigger and fuller in the long run as well! To achieve a sweeter tasting plant, build a mound of mulch up around the base of the plant. It will help keep the root/bulb cool and in turn it will take on a sweeter flavor.
How to harvest fennel:
The wonderful thing about fennel is the entire plant can be used. The seeds, the stems, the leaves, and even the bulb are all edible. You can pick leaves off at anytime, however the bulb of the fennel plant needs about 80 days to mature. Once mature you can dig it out and use it. Fennel can be then used in fresh salads or even chopped and added to soups, stews, and meat dishes.
Fennel is an easy plant to grow and offers a unique flavor that is sure to make your dishes pop. Give it a try in your own garden and see if you are a fan!
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