Those are very good tips on growing fennel. I grew it once and found it very worthwhile. Thanks for posting. It encourages me to consider grow it again.

Jim

I have been growing Florence fennel for the last few years. I use the whole plant, bulb, leaves and seeds in cooking. Someone posted earlier a recipe for fennel pesto that I am going to try. I don't even have to plant them anymore, they just reseed themselves every year. Here is some interesting information on growing fennel in your garden.
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing fennel near other plants

I'm thinking of digging into my seed spices just to see what might sprout??

That's a good idea. I've grown a few herbs such as coriander and mustard that way. It's fun and economical.

Jim

I grew both kinds of fennel last year. I used it in my decorative planters out front with some annual flowers and other edibles.

So should I now expect it to be coming up everywhere - like I have dill? The dill works out well because I make dozens of jars of refrigerator dill pickles. Not sure I want fennel coming up everywhere. Although it's so wispy at first that it won't be hard to pull out though.

I planted fennel once. I don't know what it was--it was a bronze variety and pretty and smelled lovely and we ate some leaves and some seeds. And yep, I saw it every year until I moved.

I'd do it again! There are worse weeds. (And of course since this was a purplish variety, it was easy to spot and a nice addition to a flowerbed.)

I planted herb fennel about 20 years ago. It has now taken over my back yard and those of the neigbhors. It's easily mowed down when cutting the grass, but if you look, the stuff is EVERYWHERE in the neighborhood.

So that's something to consider if you're thinking about planting it. It is pretty, smells wonderful in the garden, nice to have available. And it will attract Eastern Swallowtail caterpillars. I like it, but it is terribly invasive.

I planted bulb fennel last fall but it didn't do well, I got lots of fronds and long deep taproots but no edible bulbs to speak of. No seeds either, so I'm assuming it won't be spreading, LOL. I'll try again, I love the stuff and this was just a strange garden year.

I have better luck buying leek plants, my growing season just isn't long enough for them to become bigger than scallions if I plant from seed.

You're right, though, if you grow it, you'll cook it.

Annie

Annie I had trouble getting large leeks in the past for me here in Minnesota is to start the seeds in a pot as soon as the ground is thawed. That way they get a good start as soon as its warm enough and get harder off as they grow. I have never taken the pots in out of the cold even if it has snowed on them. Patty

Patty - where in Minnesota are you? Have I asked you this before? If so, I've forgotten. :-)

Teresa - Minnetonka

It's not too early to start onion and leek seeds indoors. They can be quite crowded until time to set them out. A bright window is OK. Give them a haircut once in a while to keep them at 3 or 4 inches tall.

Jim

Thanks Jim and Patty, I just might try that, I only sowed seeds directly to the garden and got little tiny leeks. My family joked that it was that miniature produce that's so expensive in the stores. (grin)

I'll try fennel again, Elery grew it a couple of times successfully, so in a normal year I'm sure I can grow it.

Annie

I tried some fennel last year, but I direct-seeded them and it was (another) strange year. I did get small bulbs, though. Worth trying again.

I'll start leeks and onions next month (we won't be able to set them out until mid-May). Early leeks do OK for me. Onions, not so much, but I can get really nice storage onions from our local Gleaners, so if I have green onions and a few fresh ones for salsa I'm happy. Also putting in some bunching onions.

Starting to crave spring and greens...onion haircuts would be really good on a salad about now.

Teresa I now live in Madelia southwest of Mankato about 2 hours from twin cities. I grew and sold vegtables at the Mankato farmers market for 8 years. Patty