how do you harvest fennel

How to Harvest Fennel Bulbs. Use a pair of garden shears or a sharp knife to cut off the plant's stalks and leaves, leaving an inch or two at the top of the bulb. Don't discard the greenery! Use it for another dinner as a salad addition or side dish.

How do I know when fennel is ready to pick?

Fennel is ready to harvest after approximately 90 days. Fennel leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant is well established. Only take a few leaves at a time to not cause harm to the plant. The bulb is ready for harvest once it reaches the size of a tennis ball.

How do you harvest and store fennel?

Water the cut plants regularly if the weather is dry. Harvest fennel seeds when the flower heads turn brown and no later, or the seeds may fall. Snip the stems below the dry flowers, and place the flowers on a tray in a warm, dry place to finish drying out before storing them in an airtight container.

Does fennel come back every year?

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a short-lived perennial with some types hardy in zones 4-9 but is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Native to southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, this plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) has sweetly aromatic foliage and flavor similar to anise.

What part of the fennel plant is edible?

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

Why did my fennel not form a bulb?

So, the most likely reason for no bulb on fennel is that you have planted the wrong type. You can still use the lower stalks, the leaves and seeds, which will have a somewhat mellower but still delightful flavor than the bulb. Another reason for fennel with no bulb is planting too late.

Are there two types of fennel?

There are two types of fennel. One is treated as an herb (herb fennel – Foeniculum vulgare) and one that is treated like a bulb type vegetable (Florence fennel or Finocchio – Foeniculum vulgare var. ... The herb type grows 3-5 feet tall with fine textured foliage resembling dill.

Do you cut back fennel?

Prune back fennel plants in mid autumn, before cold weather turns the plants to mush.

Can you eat fennel after it flowers?

The entire plant of fennel, including the flowers, is edible and can be used. ... Seeds, stems, stalks, leaves, bulb, roots, flowers... all have valuable food quality. Nutritionally, 1 cup of sliced fennel only has 27 calories.

Can you eat fennel stalks?

All parts of the fennel plant—bulb, stalk, and the feathery fronds—are edible, and will add texture and flavor to salads, slaws, pastas, and more. ... Fennel stalks can take the place of celery in soups and stews, and can be used as a "bed" for roasted chicken and meats.

What insects does fennel attract?

Besides social wasps and hoverflies fennel attracted honey bees, wild bees and bumble bees, beetles, various groups of wasps and flies. Most of those are beneficial pollinators (Rader et al.

How often should Fennel be watered?

When planting, space fennel seedlings from 4 to 12 inches apart, depending on variety. (Check the plant tag for more information.) Be sure to keep soil consistently moist. Water regularly, giving plants at least an inch of water per week (more in hot weather).

How tall does fennel get?

The type grown as an herb—common fennel—features finely textured foliage that reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. Stems, leaves, and seeds from common fennel are harvested for use in culinary dishes.

Why is fennel so expensive?

It comes from the very middle of the fennel flower, and you can gather about a gram at a time. This low yield is the reason why Fennel powder is quite pricey. Farming it is hard, and as a result most Fennel Pollen comes from Wild Fennel.

Is wild fennel poisonous?

If you've found something that you think is wild fennel and it smells like licorice, you're set. It's not poisonous.

What can you do with fennel stalks and leaves?

You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they're delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.

How easy is it to grow fennel?

Fennel is easy to grow. They prefer full sun and a well drained soil. ... Also called Florence Fennel or Finuccio, it is easy to grow and very hardy, lasting well after the first frost. With bright green, fern-like leaves and aromatic yellow flowers, this plant will grow three to four feet tall.

What is the difference between fennel and sweet fennel?

There are two main varieties of Fennel. One, developed mainly for production of Fennel seeds, is called Sweet Fennel (“Foeniculum vulgare var dulce”); the other, developed for eating in its own right, is called Florence Fennel (“Foeniculum vulgare var. ... Choose Fennel that is firm with fresh tops.

Are anise and fennel the same thing?

While anise and fennel both have a licorice-like flavor, they come from different plants. You'll often find anise in seed form, either whole or ground, while you can buy fennel as a seed, leaves, or as the aforementioned finocchio, whose fronds, greens and bulb are all edible.

What can you not plant near fennel?

Plant it with ornamentals and you'll be fine. Keep it away from from the veggie garden - especially cilantro/coriander, dill, tomatoes, kohlrabi, and beans. Well in mi opinion fennel, any, is not good companion plant to anything.

Is fennel hard to grow?

Planting Fennel

Plants may be divided, but this isn't as easy as it is with other garden plants and often proves unsatisfactory. This is because fennel has a long tap root that doesn't like to be divided or moved. Planting fennel by seed is the much easier option.

Is Bronze fennel invasive?

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a short-lived perennial native to the Mediterranean area which has naturalized around the world. Because it freely reseeds itself, it is considered an invasive weed in the US and Australia. ... I like to plant bronze fennel in my butterfly garden because of its wonderful bronze foliage.