[Homestead] Fennel

EarthNSky erthnsky at bellsouth.net
Mon Nov 17 17:16:42 EST 2008


I went and looked at the seed packet.  I have "Florence" variety, which
I searched and found out that it is the bulb type, finocchio as Lynda
describes it.  Mine says it grows to 48".
I'm mostly worried about the companion thing.  Do you find it does harm
to other vegetables Wen?

Wendy wrote:
> Bev, I grow fennel (or rather, it grows and I take credit).  I can't
> imagine potato soup without chopped fennel leaves added just before
> serving.  It is a bi-annual that reseeds readily. I just leave the
> spent tops with seed heads in the garden over winter and let it come
> up where it wants.  It moves easily in case it wants where I don't.
> Mine grow to be over 7ft tall and are quite the eye catching plant.
> However, it does like a good bit of water to keep the feathery leaves
> green.  Fennel can also be added to bean soups (yum) and dishes to
> advert flatulence.  Crushed fennel seed tea is also said to be good
> for stomach distress and PMS bloating.  For the latter, I believe it
> acts as a diuretic.  It also attracts tons of beneficial little wasps
> to the garden. That in itself is a good reason to grow it.  I grow
> what is called "leaf fennel" as opposed to "bulb fennel".  I have
> never grown or eaten the bulb type which is often used in
> Mediterranean cooking.
> 
> Wendy
> 
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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