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I am trying to work out my crop rotation plans but can't work out what group fennel belongs to? Does anyone know? Thanks

The RHS class Fennel as a root crop.

I'm planning to grow it in it's own little area this year, as it seems to do badly with just about every rotation group!

I'm also sowing it really late, to try and stop it bolting........ :-\

yes, that's what I was told, it sulks if you plant it with anything else!! give it it's own little patch, mind you, we grew it at the end of the pea bed last year, it did ok  :)

Quote from: manicscousers on March 13, 2007, 06:46:19
yes, that's what I was told, it sulks if you plant it with anything else!! give it it's own little patch, mind you, we grew it at the end of the pea bed last year, it did ok  :)

I'd read that, too, but can't remember where or why. I treat it like a favourite aunt you want to invite to a family gathering but no-one else can bear the sight of....park it in a corner with lots to eat and lots to drink. I love my auntie Fennel and sow small amounts twice during the season to prolong it & avoid the bolting/glut. I grow Selma as an early followed by Sirio as a later crop. Would welcome suggestions for other varieties, tho.

I can just see your 'auntie' fennel sitting in the corner with a glass of gin, hat still on with hatpins in   ;D

In my list of companion plants it would seem that fennel does not grow well with anything - so good idea to park Auntie Fennel in the corner by herself. (gin optional).

Jitterbug

We had this thread last year about why fennel likes to be by itself. It's more that you might not have much luck growing stuff in between fennel plants, rather than any crop rotation thing.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,16813.0

I remember it only because I have a friend who spent nearly four years studying 'allelopathy in the umbelliferae" for a PhD. Working out why fennel won't play nicely with other plants, would've been a better description  ;)

You know, after reading the thread Ceratonia kindly fished up for us 8), I'm thinking......hmmm.....candidates for some of those FREE black buckets I seem to have loads of?....you know, really might give 2 or 3 a go...

Not sure about Aunts but fennel does like to drink-`Rudy` works for me

From this day forward fennel shall be known as Aunty Fennel, Alishka Maxwell holds the sole rights, profits from any merchandise will be solely forwarded to Alishka Maxwell, with 10% going to her agent Cornykev.   ;D ;D ;D

5% and a sniff at the gin bottle every Michaelmas Day CK and you've gotta deal. 8)

Hi there all .   Ceratonia , I just had a brief look at all those other postings about fennel .
    I grew fennel towards the end of last year  in a bed of their own .....now do you think that fennel can be grown again in the same spot  given that it exudes this  chemical to protect itself ?   Makes sense to me .       I was thrilled with mine (and am new to growing veggies )  and want to grow it again .    Delicious with everything both cooked and raw !    Rohaise    :)

Quote from: Rohaise on March 15, 2007, 15:53:11
    I grew fennel towards the end of last year  in a bed of their own .....now do you think that fennel can be grown again in the same spot  given that it exudes this  chemical to protect itself ?   

Don't see why it can't be; bronze fennel self-seeds all over the place and clearly doesn't mind growing in the same spot. As I said, don't get too hung up on keeping fennel separate from other things or treating it in a special way for crop rotation. The root chemicals don't persist and they don't go far. It really just means that some things don't germinate very well/at all if they're surrounded by fennel plants.

Your a hard woman Alishka, two sniffs and you've got a deal.   :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D 8)