Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Common Names: Green Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Florence Fennel (for the bulbous variety)
Description
Green Fennel is a hardy, perennial herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae) known for its feathery, aromatic foliage, yellow umbrella-like flowers, and distinctive anise-like flavor. The plant can grow up to 4-6 feet tall, with hollow stems and finely divided leaves. Fennel’s edible parts include its leaves, seeds, and bulbs (for certain varieties). The plant is highly ornamental, making it a popular choice in herb gardens, vegetable plots, and flower borders.
Uses
Culinary:
Leaves: Used fresh as a herb in salads, soups, and sauces. The feathery fronds add a mild, licorice-like flavor to dishes.
Seeds: Dried fennel seeds are commonly used as a spice in baking, sausages, curries, and teas. They have a sweet, aromatic flavor that pairs well with fish, pork, and vegetable dishes.
Bulbs: In the Florence Fennel variety, the bulb is consumed as a vegetable, raw or cooked, adding a crisp, sweet taste to salads, roasts, and gratins.
Medicinal: Fennel has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, including aiding digestion, relieving bloating, and reducing inflammation. Fennel tea is commonly used to soothe digestive discomfort, and fennel seeds are chewed to freshen breath.
Ornamental: Its tall, feathery foliage and bright yellow flowers make fennel an attractive addition to garden borders, providing both height and texture.
Growing Instructions
1. Climate and Soil Requirements:
Fennel prefers a sunny location and thrives in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It is tolerant of poor soils and drought once established.
While fennel can grow in a variety of climates, it does best in mild to warm conditions.
2. Planting:
Seeds: Fennel is best grown from seeds sown directly outdoors. Sow seeds in early spring after the last frost or in late summer for a fall crop.
Depth: Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly with soil.
Spacing: Thin seedlings to about 12-18 inches apart to allow for full growth. Rows should be spaced about 18-24 inches apart.
3. Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and early growth. Once established, fennel is relatively drought-tolerant but will perform best with regular watering.
4. Fertilization:
Fennel is not a heavy feeder. Adding compost or a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer at planting time will usually suffice. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can reduce the essential oil content in the leaves and seeds.
5. Maintenance:
Thinning: Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and encourage healthy growth.
Pests/Diseases: Fennel is relatively pest-free but can occasionally attract aphids, slugs, and snails. Aphids can be managed by spraying with water or insecticidal soap, while slugs and snails can be controlled with barriers or traps.
6. Harvesting:
Leaves: Harvest the feathery leaves as needed throughout the growing season.
Seeds: Harvest fennel seeds when the flowers have turned brown, and the seeds begin to dry. Cut the flower heads and hang them upside down in a paper bag to collect the seeds.
Bulbs (Florence Fennel): Harvest the bulbs when they are about the size of a small fist by cutting them at the base.