[Homestead] Fennel

Lynn Wigglesworth lynnw1366 at hotmail.com
Mon Nov 17 07:33:13 EST 2008


It's a different fennel variety than what's grown for seed. It produces a 
large bulb at the base, sort of like a swollen, flat celery. It has an anise 
flavor that goes especially well with potatoes and onions.  I took many to 
the Farmers' Market, but never sold even one....nobody knew what they were 
and didn't want to find out.

Lynn Wigglesworth
Tioga Co. PA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "EarthNSky" <erthnsky at bellsouth.net>
To: "Homestead List" <homestead at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 1:47 AM
Subject: [Homestead] Fennel


What am I missing here?
When I think of fennel, I think seeds.  I've never used/eaten anything
but the seeds.  I bought some fennel seeds as I heard it will
perennialize(always a good think, IMO), but as I read on how to grow it,
I see that people are eating the leaves and bulbs, too. What???
This is from one website
http://usagardener.com/how_to_grow_herbs/how_to_grow_fennel.php

> Aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal. Fennel adds
>  fragrance to creams, perfumes, soaps, liqueurs, and potpourris. An
> infusion of ground stems is used for cleansing and medicating the
> skin. The licorice-flavored plant is used in sauces, soups, stews,
> and salads and as garnish for fish. The stems can be eaten like
> celery, and the roots can be boiled as a vegetable. The seeds can be
>  used whole or ground in desserts, breads, cakes, cookies, teas, and
>  beverages. The plant is used to make bright yellow or gold dye. It
> also can be grown in large containers. Fennel is said to have some
> medicinal qualities.


I can vouch for the medicinal...nothing better than a tea of fennel and
plantain for sore or dry eyes.

Does the bulb and stems taste like the seeds?


> Do not plant fennel next to dill, beans or tomatoes, as they tend to
> cross-pollinate.

Cross pollinate with tomatoes and beans???  What??  I understand that it
is not a good companion, but cross pollinating?
I do plan to separate it from most of the garden, but if I don't put it
inside the fence, I'll lose it. If you are growing it, what are you
growing it next to?  I'm thinking maybe I will grow it near the big
rosemary bush-there are only flowers in that area.  Would that kill the
rosemary?  How would it affect small pecan tree if I planted it 4 or 5
feet away(Pecan is about 6 feet tall)?

Bev







-- 
“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to
hate. Hate leads to suffering.”        Yoda
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