Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel is a close relative of the carrot, but is actually an herb, not a root vegetable. It is useful in many different dishes, mostly to provide flavor. Fennel does not get along with most other plants, so it is best planted a distance away from your main garden. There are two main varieties of fennel: Florence fennel and Sweet fennel. Florence fennel is always grown as an annual, though Sweet fennel is a perennial in areas with warm winters.
How to Grow Fennel
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Varieties
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Growing from Seed
Soak your fennel seeds for a couple of days before direct sowing, to ensure a good chance of germination. It is typically recommended to direct sow fennel outdoors. While it is possible to transplant fennel, it may bolt if its roots are disturbed during transplanting.
Planting Considerations
Fennel prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Make sure the soil is always moist, but not overly wet.
Feeding
Fennel is pretty easygoing in terms of feeding. An occasional light spritz of liquid fertilizer is really the most your fennel plants will ever need, but even this can usually be skipped.
Harvesting
Never harvest beyond a third of the plant, as this can cause the plant to bolt, or go to seed too quickly. Mature fennel leaves are chopped up and used as an herb in cooking or salads. Depending on the variety of fennel, the bulbs can also be harvested and enjoyed as a vegetable. It is best to use fresh fennel the same day you pick it.
Storage
Do not store fennel wedged between other vegetables in the fridge. It develops brown bruises extremely easily. Fennel bulbs can be sliced and placed in water, then refrigerated. This is the best way to preserve fresh fennel, but even then, it is still advised to use the bulbs within a few days. Fennel seeds can be dried and used as a spice. Unlike the rest of the plant, dried fennel seeds can last for many years.
