[Homestead] Fennel

EarthNSky erthnsky at bellsouth.net
Mon Nov 17 17:18:45 EST 2008


  http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/herbs/florencefennel.asp


That linguini recipe looks promising..
And look Sage, no meat!!

Bev




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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