Fennel

[Gadget]

Hi all, I grew some fennel and I ahve realised it was the herb type not the bulb type, which is fine as I will let it go to seed and use it in cooking. :)

Can anyone tell me what seeds I need to get for next year so that I do have the bulb variety and any recommendations of types? ???

Thank you.
;D

[Gadget]

[grawrc]

it's Florence fennel you want. Can't think of any varieties to recommend though! >:(

[lincsyokel2]

Hi all, I grew some fennel and I ahve realised it was the herb type not the bulb type, which is fine as I will let it go to seed and use it in cooking. :)

Can anyone tell me what seeds I need to get for next year so that I do have the bulb variety and any recommendations of types? ???

Thank you.
;D

The sort you have produces a tap root like a carrot, i surmise this root must be eatable, but ive never tried Does anyoen know how to cook it ?. I have a HUGE patch of it i n a massive wooden planter, i love the fluffy foilage, and the massive bag of seeds it creates every year i use in cooking

[Unwashed]

Hi all, I grew some fennel and I ahve realised it was the herb type not the bulb type, which is fine as I will let it go to seed and use it in cooking. :)

Can anyone tell me what seeds I need to get for next year so that I do have the bulb variety and any recommendations of types? ???

Thank you.
;D

Argh!  Fennel is a nasty weed if you let it self-seed as it germinates very well and the seedlings send down a great tap root making it really difficult to get out.  One's lovely (especially the bronze one), but don't let it set seed.

You need florence fennel next year.

[cleo]

I grow `rudy` which does well on my very light soil. I have tried zefa fino but it just bolts as soon as it`s looked at.

[grannyjanny]

I don't think it's to late to sow fennel seed.

[Bugloss2009]

i think the RHS say the cut off date for sowing is up to the last week in July. Then it's just down to the weather, but don't expect uber bulbs.

[Gadget]

It does have a massive tap root, I think that I may get some seeds for Florence Fennel and see how I get on.

Thank you for all your advice. :)

[antipodes]

Oh yes definitely do NOT let herb fennel self seed! You will have it EVERYWHERE and it is a bartsfard to get rid of! The root breaks off and it germinates all over the place. It is very invasive. I now hate the stuff, have been trying to get rid of it all for the last 2 years!

[Gadget]

Oh yes definitely do NOT let herb fennel self seed! You will have it EVERYWHERE and it is a bartsfard to get rid of! The root breaks off and it germinates all over the place. It is very invasive. I now hate the stuff, have been trying to get rid of it all for the last 2 years!

No good  ???

[Gadget]

I will dig the lot up tonight when I get home, not liking the sound of rampantness of the plant...I have enough blimming problems with me nettles..  :)

[fi]

Sorry to differ,  but it's not that bad to dig up just get it early enough when small (if self seeded) if left you will attract many beneficial insects.

[lincsyokel2]

yes, when its three feet high  it has a tap root like a carrot that pulls out easily. Its not a problem.

[goodlife]

I don't find bronze fennel troublesome at all..?..yes..it does self seed everywhere but the foliage doesn't really cast a shade for other plants..I don't see a problem...they are not 'hungry or thirsty' plants neither and grow happily even in 'waste' bits of land.
I do admit it..I've got it all over but when I walk over them the is such a delicious smell in the air...I've even thought of making some tea out of it..but aniseed flavour just don't 'do it' to me..

[fi]

Previous message badly written, you won't personally attract the insects. but the umbellifer flowers of the fennel will!!

[grannyjanny]

Goodlife. Fennel tea is good for hormones. I think it's a balancer. Not that you are unbalanced my dear ;D.

[goodlife]

Nice to know that..but what if it does opposite..that would just my luck.. ::) OH is having hard time enough with me as it is.. :o ;D..top that with hormones all over the place more than once a month and I'll be left to live alone or I'll be digging really deep 'pumpkin pit'..6ft deep for 'composting' reasons... :-X
It might be safer to just keep sniffing the things.. ;) ;D

[shirlton]

I am growing Foothergills. "Di Firenze" and its looking good. Didn't sow it too early so up to yet it hasn't bolted.

[antipodes]

I find the tap root is really hard to get out.  Just sharing my experience. I would not sow it again as I found it too hard to get rid of. Of course if you keep it rigourously under control, maybe it would be OK. It wouldn't be my choice of flowers to attract insects though!

I was reading that you should sow Bulb Fennel later (like, now!) to avoid it bolting, Think it was Alys Fowler that said this... None of mine will eat it so I don't grow it myself.

[Bugloss2009]

there's an old Celtic saying that if a man can walk past a clump of fennel without his heart singing with joy, then there's no saying what kind of mischief he'll get up to. But that's the Welsh for you.