Fennel plants are flowering plants that belong to the family Apiaceae (carrot family) and they grow as perennial plants in the wild.
The fennel plants have been an important food ingredient in different parts of the world as its bulb, leaves, and seeds are very edible and they have been used as herbs since ancient times.
Fennel plants originate from the Mediterranean part of the world and this plant became popular because of its strong taste and it became an important spice in foods and diet all over the world – they can be grilled, microwaved, fried, eaten raw, etc. depending on how you like it.
These plants are very easy to grow; with the right and proper steps followed you can be assured of excellent growth and development of spices that you can use to garnish your food as you please and desire.
Fennel plants are propagated via seed and they produce yellow flowers that add color to their lovely structure; however, they only produce seeds after the plant has attained maturity and the flowers turned from yellow to brown.
The fennel plant is a very important part of the human diet, it is a rich source of vitamins C, B6, and B9, dietary fibers, and minerals and the leaves have been used as an important seasoning.
Gardeners love this plant, apart from its taste, this plant is a very good plant in that it is very economical since every part of the plant is very useful and it is very beneficial to the human health.
The fennel plants are a popular plant all over the world, it has various health benefits and it is known for its ability to relieve muscle spasms (due to its antispasmodic properties) and it has been used in medicine all over the world.
Fennel plants can grow to a height of about 8 feet and there are different varieties and types of this plant that can be cultivated around the world depending on your aim of cultivation.
Do you want to learn how to grow fennel plants with ease at home? If yes, then this is the right and appropriate place for you to be – continue reading! Have a great time learning!
Types of Fennel plants
Fennel plants are bulbous plants that give a soothing and pleasant taste to the human diet.
The fennel plants are known for their ability to grow as either perennial or biennial plants in the wild, however, gardeners do grow them as annual plants because they develop bulbs that are usually consumed within a year.
However, there are generally two types of fennel plants that are usually cultivated around the world and we will discuss more about them in this section. Below are the types of fennel plants that we have :
- Florence fennel
- Herb fennel
Florence fennel:
This variety of fennel plant develops crisp celery-like bulbs that have anise-like flavor with well-fragrant leaves and seeds.
This type of fennel produces bulbs that can be consumed raw, cooked, grilled, or baked and the thick leaves can also be a great addition to salads and other veggies.
Herb fennel:
This type/variety is known for the anise-like flavor of its feathery leaves and seeds (usually large). This is the herbal type of fennel plants, they produce soft-textured leaves that can be used as seasonings in foods.
When is the right time to grow Fennel plants?
To achieve optimum growth and development of fennel plants, knowing the right and accurate time to grow them is an important necessity and you must try as much as possible to choose the right time to get this done.
Planting fennel plants is an easy task but knowing the time to sow your seeds for germination is very essential and this is important when it comes to fennel plants as well.
Fennel plants are sun-loving plants, however, they do not do well under a cold weather condition as this can cause damage to the plant as a whole.
Growing of fennel plants should start as soon as the last spring frost has passed. Therefore, the best time to grow fennel plants is during Spring.
However, you can also start growing fennel plants indoor weeks before the last spring frost date to ensure the growth of the fennel plant and making it very easy for them to survive well.
How to Grow Fennel plants
Fennel plants are generally propagated through seeds and if you want to get a seed from the plant you will have to allow it grow pass harvestable age.
Growing fennel plants is very easy and straightforward and we will discuss the step-by-step process involved in growing fennel plants from seeds to maturity. Read further to learn more about them.
Choose a variety/type of fennel seed to grow:
Since there are different varieties of fennel plants from which you can cultivate, it is important to choose a variety that has the record of thriving well in your region.
However, if you are an adventurous gardener you can go for other varieties as well. Make sure to choose the most suitable variety possible.
Site selection:
Fennel plants are sun-loving requiring sunlight of at least 6 hours daily and the soil should also be very fertile and well-draining. The soil should be able to hold moisture but not soggy or waterlogged as this will damage the plant.
Prepare the soil:
If planting fennel plants it is usually recommended to loosen the soil a little bit to a depth of at least 4 – 6 inches to ensure the efficient growth of the plant root.
You should add compost or aged manure to the soil to improve its fertility. Mix the compost and manure well with the soil to ensure that it is evenly spread throughout the soil.
Plant the fennel seeds:
After the last spring frost has passed, sowing the fennel seed is very essential. Make a hole about 1 inch deep, place about 2 – 3 seeds in the hole and cover well with soil.
Carefully apt the soil and water it well. Leave a spacing of 10 inches between planting points at the site for efficient growth. Make sure not to plant close to dill or coriander as they can cross-pollinate.
Water regularly:
You should provide water to the plant regularly to ensure proper growth and development. Once the first inch of the soil dries out, supply more water to the plant base.
Do not allow the plant to lack water and neither should you provide the plant with too much water as this can cause rot.
Thin out excess seedlings:
Once the plant grows to a height of 3 – 4 inches, it is important to thin out the excess seedlings at the growing site.
Of the germinating seedlings, the most healthy seedling with vigorous growth should be allowed to grow more. Get rid of the weak ones as soon as possible.
Make mound around the plant base:
Once the plant begins to grow more vigorously and develop bulbs you should make mounds at the base of the plant. This process will encourage blanching, that is, keeping the bulb as white as possible.
This is most important if you like to consume the bulb as this will prevent it from getting discolored and maintain its taste.
Get rid of pests and diseases:
Fennels are not prone to pests and diseases, however, sometimes that can be affected by aphids or whiteflies, it is important to get rid of them with a pyrethrin-based soap.
Conclusion
Fennels are awesome plants and growing then is a lot much easier than it seems. If you want to have a taste of this delicious and tasty herb then you should follow the steps discussed above to get the best result possible. Learn to produce chemical-free produce for your everyday consumption.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
