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  • From: "Wendy" <crazygardens AT verizon.net>
  • To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Fennel
  • Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:56:44 -0500

I have not noticed anything in particular except that a stand of it on the wrong side will sometimes provide too much shade for some veggies. I have a fennel hiding in the asparagus now. :-)

Wendy


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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