I grow tons of fennel every year and have always started them first. I’m Italian so we use fennel in our pasta sauce a lot. It’s perfect with sausage. Grilled and braised with fish is also delish! It’s such an underused and under rated vegetable but super easy to grow. Look at the price of it at grocery stores! It’s so expensive to buy too!
I had some bulb fennel bolt in June last year. It attracted so many beneficial insects and butterflies. I even had a few swallowtail caterpillars take up residence. I started some again this year, and may interplant a few just to attract the butterflies 😁
Thank you so much from this Ohio gardener! I have been unsuccessfully trying to grow fennel for years and now I know why! I love to use fennel bulb roasted, but also to add to a chunky marinara or any Italian dish, soup, etc. I'm ready for the warm-up this week, aren't you???
Try adding some cut up orange slices to your apple fennel salad with some green onions! YUM! Fennel Orange salad is my all time fave but adding apple can't hurt! Super Yum!!
Hi Jenna, I live in 6a 😊 a friend recently told me about your channel and I’ve been watching it ever since. I love black, licorice, and like to grow different things in my garden😊 I was thinking about growing fennel, but had no idea how 🤪Thank you for the video on Fennel. Now I will get some seeds and try my luck.🤞 Out of the fennel that you are growing can you tell me which one has the stronger anise flavor? Thank you 😊
Wonderful to hear from a fellow black licorice fan! Honestly, of the varieties I regularly grow, they all have a mild licorice flavor- but I find that when they're stressed that flavor intensifies.
Hi Jenna! I love fennel. Yep, I'm not a big fan of licorice but fennel is great. It provides this sensation of freshness like mint somehow, I find. Also, fennel goes well when roasted with fish.
I'm growing fennel for the first time this year. I'm in Bulgaria which seems to have a similar climate. I don't even know what fennel tastes like but I like to try and grow different things.
I never thought I would like the taste of fennel because I don’t like licorice and I already thought it smell like that, but I tried it in a salad recipe that I loved! It’s definitely on the menu now 😊. Not sure I’ll try to grow it this year as I’m starting out fresh at a new place that was formerly gardenless, but maybe in a year or 2 I’ll give it a whirl
Ugh! I decided not to do fennel this year because of those Internet stories about it not playing well with other veggies. I guess I'll go for a fall harvest. TY for the video. Love your channel.
I have never tasted Fennel lol but I bought seeds and will plant them this spring. I am new to your channel and found it very helpful for somehow a new gardener in new zone 7b GA. i have so much to learn coming from 10a zone but I love gardening and new challenges. Thank you so much for helping and explaining things so thoroughly. :)
In India we eat fennel seeds after we had food it helps digestion also its mouth freshener if anyone have bad breath (stinky smell) it cure and it's perfectly safe bcz its not artificial chemical😊
Never tried Fennel, I too love black licorice. Thanks spell check😅. I do have a tree that I think is Anise. The leaves when crushed smells like that word I never spell.
I’ve only recently discovered your video and have been enjoying them - I greatly appreciate the timeline chapter links for going back for quick referencing of topics you cover in a video. I’m live in NE Ohio in the Snowbelt region so appreciate the information from another northern Ohio gardener. I’m trying Preludio this season and seeded it in C. Dowding trays last week. I’ve had mixed success over the past several seasons with Victorio and Perfection varieties, so am hopeful that Preludio will produce better. I'm considering interspersing the transplants among my garlic that is sprouting for better bed utilization, but the spacing is likely too tight. Along with the shaved fennel and apple salad, I’ve found fennel pairs well with thinly sliced celery (and I’m not a huge fan of celery).
Preludio outperformed Perfection for me, but I've not grown Victorio. I hope it does great for you! And I'll have to try the celery pairing- thanks for the tip!
Your fennel looks great! I have 3 plants 1 is on third spring second on others. Funny thing my whole garden froze out this past winter except the fennel and garlic.
I LOVE fennel!! But I don't care much for black licorice. Grew it last year in the same bed as my cabbage and kohlrabi and everything grew just fine 🤷🏻♀️ no stumped growth or anything. I also dried the leaves and stems in the oven and then crushed everything and stored in an old glass seasoning jar. Have used it in sauces, dips, dry rubs, etc. Love when you can use all parts or most of a plant!
Hooray! Glad to hear you're a fellow fennel lover, Kerri! I'm also glad to hear you had no issues with interplanting. Great tip on drying- I'm going to try that this year, thank you.
Grew fennel last year and really enjoyed it. The bulbs were small but good. I even had it resprout from the root I left in and make 2 or 4 very small bulbs again. Where the leaves touched a bean plant, the bean did suffer, but that might have been blocked light as much as alleopathic compounds. Roasted with beets and sweet potatoes makes a delicious blender soup.
I'm growing fennel this year as well (and in Ohio), BUT I'm growing them for the seeds, because.... well, because they always bolt for me, and I LOVE fennel seed. I may use these tricks in the fall. So many health benefits of fennel. How do you preserve the fennel? Or do you just eat them all fresh and/ or sell them?
I actually end up using most of mine fresh. I find it stores quite well in the fridge in an unsealed ziploc bag. But- I do like a good fennel pickle, such as this one: theviewfromgreatisland.com/quick-pickled-fennel-recipe/ You can freeze it, but I don't love the thawed texture, and find it best in puree style soups.
I love fennel. I make a jam from ccarmalized onion. Using Fennel in there Jam is a whole different set of flavors. I love fennel pollen too. A wee skosh goes a long way. I put fennel in quich soups, any where I will use an onion, I'll add fennel and leeks.
I think I have the herb that’s popping up all over my garden, then I don’t have the heart to pull it bc the black swallow tail caterpillars love it. So I end up using it to raise them 😅 I’d love to try bulb fennel I eat it all the time!
Definitely will add it to the list for next year. I tried once (Florence) and couldn’t understand why I got no bulb. Now I know😜 I love black licorice too. You’re such a great teacher, thank you.
Yay! I love fennel. I grew it successfully the first time I tried, and never after that. I didn’t realize it was so finicky and I’ll bet our unpredictable Ontario weather had a lot to do with it!
I guess it is too late for this year, but I am up for another challenge in 2024, zone 5a. Where did you get your seeds? Love your videos! Happy 1st day of SPRING!!!! Stay Well!!!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Just finally figured out what I am going to do with my jumping worm infested bed. Going to get a few gallons of diesel fuel and burn it, lol. Going to cut it up into 2, 4X8 foot beds with a key hole, and put 2 cattle panels running east to west. I should be able to trellis my sweet potatoes and melons, plus what ever else I have. A bit concerned about shading my tomato bed, will see what happens. I am so glad winter is in our rear view mirror, really sick of wearing 5 layers to walk the dog. Stay Well!!! Happy planting!
Hi Jenna: This question is a bit off-topic, but you are so good about answering questions, I thought I'd ask. Are Eclaire strawberries, and Seascape strawberries two different varieties? I ordered a Seascape online, and they arrived with a tag that said Eclaire. New to growing strawberries, so asking. Thanks!
Perfect time for this video! I started some fennel seeds this year and am going to try growing it for the first time. Mine are pretty much ready to be transplanted in my area. Thanks for the tips!!
HA! I also take weird joy in finding things that I shouldn't be able to grow and attempting the impossible. Not sure what that says about me, but I am not going to think about it too much.
I have not grown fennel in my home garden. I did however grow it when I was a professional gardener in my display herb garden. I didn't have any issues with it being planted along with other plants.
I interplanted bronze leaf fennel last year with cucumbers and kale last year to try to avoid losing the kale to the cabbage whites. It wasnt big enough early enough. But I think I might start kale earlier this year to try and avoid the cabbage whites I deal with every summer.
Often bulb fennel is actually not grown during the Spring, because it tends to bolt even in the Mediterranean, just like Chinese cabbage. So it is advised to sow it in early June. And yeah you can just sow it in cells, pots, etc... it can handle one transplanting. It doesn't need cool temps, it can handle 40° heat just fine, that tap root will find water easily and the foliage doesn't expose it to excess perspiration. A June sowing gives you fennels in late August/early September. In France, some people sow them even in August, for a harvest in late autumn or in winter (it can handle about -4°C). However, rodents tend to love these late season fennels, once in November they ate a few from the inside out. Looking at them they were fine, but the bulb was only left with the outer layer, and the root had been eaten as well. They don't work in summer in your area ? I love to eat them with a fish wrapped in aluminium foil with summer veggies, some slices of lemon, fresh sage and in the oven. If you want to use the seeds as spice, it's a different variety of fennel you need to use. Otherwise with flowering bulb fennel you will get hollow seeds with no taste, or no seeds at all.
Oh! Good to know about the rodents. I've not had that issue yet, but I had a similar thing happen with late season cauliflower- so now I'll know to be on the lookout. No, fennel does not do well here mid-summer. I'm not sure if it's the combo of the heat + humidity, but I've not had good luck. What variety do you like for the seeds specifically?
I LOVE fennel! I haven't had the best of luck with it in my Ohio garden either so this video is very helpful, thank you. I love it fresh in salads and roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Last year I overwintered a plant and I had the pleasure to eat delicious fennel flowers all summer, what a treat! Fennel grows surprisingly well here in Norway. I have grown them in buckets but I always waited until last frost date(May 20th) before I moved them outdoors, I thought they were frost tender like tomatoes so thanks for the tip. I'm gonna start earlier this year and plant some in the garden with some fleece cover until the danger of frost is over. There is no need to harvest the whole bulb. If you just harvest the outer parts and leave the center the fennel works as a cut and come again plant
i was out in the garden this morning keeping my peppers covered thanks to the cold blast coming thru iowa today. i took a look at my lone fennel that i was able to plant this year (first one ever for me) and i wondered if it would survivve our winters here... so i started searching 'the google' and youtube and found your channel. we are about 5b here, the fennel is in a 3 ft tall raised bed... i have to go look again at my seeds, i think it's a bronze so it should make it if i toss some straw down in there. im gonna grab one more harvest bcs that fennel/apple salad is my favorite too!!! i will use gala apples if i don't have any grannies and honeycrisp will work as well, even got my husband liking it... you have a new subscriber.... thanks!
I appreciate all of this information - I’m in SE PA, zone 6B, and will be raising fennel for the butterflies this Spring, but may give bulb fennel a try in my fall garden.
Thank you!! Have so wanted to plant this as I LOVE it in recipes and even if I could only smell on it! But the internet warnings of it being allelopathic - harmful to nightshades- all that has stopped me. Until now, and I’m just gonna give it a go. I’m so excited! Thanks so much Jenna!!
I'm growing 'Dragon' this year and got it here: www.gurneys.com/product/dragon-hybrid-fennel?p=0576003&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dqgBhBNEiwA7PryaOHImdJmlJP0DhIlLXGcu_W4AQJa7WSD-EJBOtk44uZbzs9kN-_99BoCPXoQAvD_BwE
Ohio Lady we have thousands of gardeners that listen to your teaching. I'm bragging about your garden skills to everyone I see with dirty boots or dirty hands as I'm on board Lady. Thanks Sunday night is in twenties, and hopefully last of the low 20s Have tiny brassica. I want to pop up by end of the month Thanks
It is so nice to go to the Growfully with Jenna library and find what I am looking for. I started some fennel for a friend, I know it is late getting into the ground, but it is what it is. Was not sure on the spacing, thanks for the info. Hope all is well!!!
I grow fennel. I grow it for the aroma and butterflies. I use just a little, the leaves and the seeds. I use the seeds the most for Italian cooking I live in zone 6. I have a bunch of volunteer fennel from last year. It’s about three inches tall right now . I also plant seed indoor and transplant. I haven’t had any issues of anything growing around fennel
Thank you for being specific about which bulb fennel is best for your climate. I grew fennel for the butterflies last year and now I want to have it as an ornamental in my flower garden every year. I will use the Italian type for this and buy new seeds if I ever want bulbs.
You're welcome! Variety can make such a difference! My mom has always grown bronze fennel for the butterflies and it's such a nice addition to the flower garden!
Great video! I'm growing my first crop this year. I'm a big fan of the seeds and using them in herbal teas so planning to let it bolt. Will try your salad recommendation.
Great thorough overview - I clicked on this video and as it got going I was like "oh I'm taking notes on this" I'll be growing fennel for the first time for my market garden (6a Denver -- and I'm a 7 year + grower) and I'm excited to give it a go. Video was very comprehensive. Much gratitude for your time making this!
@@GrowfullywithJenna I searched and searched for when to put my fennel into the garden. Thank you so much for your help. In my area end of April sounds about right. We will be starting into the 60 degree range then. So helpful. Also my bronze fennel has resided well next to my thyme for 3 or 4 yrs. now.
I’m hoping for better luck with celery this year. The great thing about clay soil is it holds nutrients and water which celery and fennel love. Your video sounded so calm as my last nerve was being stepped on by inconsiderate neighbors running sport vehicles--🤬🤬🤬 So as I try and calm down and considering being a thorn in the town boards side until an ordinance is passed, I will Try to garden as peacefully as I can. It’s ruff for those of us that can’t handle noise and fumes and can’t get away from the noise even inside your home. I don’t like this area and think a move will be in the future. Those fennel and celery you grew are beautiful.
That is what I love about my clay soil too! I'm so sorry that you have to deal with that. I'm one of those people who is really sensitive to noise and smells and this would really bother me too.
@@GrowfullywithJenna feels like your in prison because no one can do anything unless they make an ordinance or get atty. the cheaper and quicker route is probably to move. I had a Golden that hyperventilated during storms and fireworks and it’s awful to watch and I know how she felt. I will have more plants to relocate than stuff😊. It would be work, but if I can find a peaceful place it will be worth it. Maybe I will get clay soil🤣
Perfect timing! Or if not perfect (which is my fault), then most certainly excellent. I decided this year is my year to try growing bulb fennel, so this video couldn't have been posted at a better day and hour, quite literally. Our fennel seeds will get sown indoors today, about a week later than your timeline. The only hitch is, the seed I have is for Florence fennel (although I have seed for bronze fennel, too), so we'll see what happens in the erratic Ohio spring, but betcha that for a fall harvest I can find one of your recommended varieties in time to make that sowing for fall. The one thing this Ohio gardener can give fennel is excellent drainage: I'm gardening on what was either an ancient beach head, super sandy, or an ancient stream bed, ditto. So now all we have to do is pray for mild temperatures which the Lake might or might not help with: it's only a few Fahrenheit degrees but as I know you know a few degrees of difference in temperature which a human might not notice can be the literal difference between living and dying for a plant.
@@GrowfullywithJenna In the spring (which around here is a week or ten days of miserable, cold rain that we laughingly call spring, and then, just as you've observed, it's as if someone opened a titanic weather door and threw us into full summer heat, usually on Memorial Day Weekend which is also when everyone starts their landscaping plantings and their home improvement projects)? This should be tragi-comic. If I don't get completely distracted by the garden so that I don't remember, I'll get back to this video and I'll give you an update. ...that reminds me: must keep a fennel journal.....
I collected seeds from the first fennel and left it in the ground without harvesting it. After awhile, the plant had bulbs fennel from the previous branches about five of them which I will harvest and enjoy this time because I planted more fennel from the mother plant and are now growing well. Thank you for sharing. God bless you
Hi again Jenna! I’m getting ready to plant my fennel, and we are making more raised beds to add more plants this year. Yay! But I was reading that fennel doesn’t really like too many other plants near it. I have 4 x 4 raised bed, and not enough fennel sown to fill it fully. What else can I grow with it? What have you had success with? Thanks 🙏
@@GrowfullywithJenna thank you so much, I thought I watched all the way through but I must have forgotten this! I’m so relieved i will plant it with my other things. What have you planted it next to usually?
Thank you! This has been the best fennel video I hv been able to find on yt. You covered all the points from sowing, growing, pros, cons and recipes !! Thank you again!!
