[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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