Hi Wendy! Here's what I found about drying fennel seeds:
The seeds must be harvested only during the fall when they are ripe and have become fully mature. To dry the collected fennel seeds, they can be spread in thin layer on a screen within a shaded area not directly exposed to sunlight - the seeds are usually gray green in color, during the drying process turning the seeds often so that each surface of the seed is exposed equally to the drying air. An airtight container can be used for long term storage of the dried fennel seeds.

I would love some fennel seeds!!!
Linda C

I would also love some.

Lee

OK, I will harvest them when they're ready - can't guarantee the screen treatment though ;) I read somewhere else you can use a paper bag :)

Send me your addresses when you can - click on my user name to get my email addy if you don't already have it.

Just out of curiosity Wendy, why won't you use the seeds?

Did you plant the fennel just for the swallowtails?

Do you not know what to do with fennel seed? It has a gazillion uses in many cuisines.

Joe

My fennel plants never have a chance to set seed. I collect the pollen to use as a flavorful seasoning. Do a search for...collecting fennel pollen. Lots of interesting information and cooking tips to be discovered.

Joe,

Yep, I only plant fennel for the Swallowtails. I do love fennel bulbs, but I am not sure if the kind I planted this year produce them. I'll find out in a few weeks when I dig them out. As for the seeds, nothing I cook really calls for them, but for the dishes that do, (ie, Indian), I buy the spice mixes from a great little Middle Eastern market near me. They make their own, and they're amazing.

Here's a little clip of a male Swallowtail that eclosed on Monday.
And while I'm at it, here is a female Monarch eclosing, and then a bit later, just before she flew off.

Nandina, I Googled fennel pollen...who knew?! When I start cooking more often, I'll have to try it.

"Bulb" fennel isn't a true bulb. There is no underground storage organ. The "bulb" is simply expanded stems ABOVE ground. If you don't see any "bulbs" now, you won't when you dig them up.

Also, fyi, fennel is a fairly-hardy perennial. I grew it in Northern Wisconsin and it over-wintered most years.

In other words, don't dig it up. Let it go through the winter and see if it will come back for you.

As for using fennel seed in recipes, it goes WAY beyond Indian food and mixed spices. It's a key ingredient in many Italian dishes (as is), breads of all kinds, soups, sausage, seafood dishes, pork (yummmm), roasted veggies (esp. potatoes) and so much more.

Homegrown fennel seed -- it doesn't get any better.

Of course, now linda and lee want to throw big fennel bulbs at me.

Joe

Save some seed to plant more fennel. Now is a good time to get some started for your fall garden.

Sally