Fennel

[maximepaul]

I missed the boat sowing fennel this year and just wondered if any grapes did sow them and if so how are they getting on? any tips for next year??

[lynda66]

i sowed mine what seems like months ago, and had given up, but yesterday a small sprig was poking through the surface, don't know if they are perennial or not, but i'm only growing them for prettiness

[Two_Sheds]

Florence Fennel (the bulbous thing), or fluffy fennel ?
I have bronze fennel self-seeding itself everywhere, it's a total pain.

[loveday69]

I grew some fennel near my beans because I heard somewhere that slugs and snails don't like them - guess what? whoever said it was very very wrong, the 'slimey ones' scoffed the lot over night and then moved on to my beans!

Oh well, there's another year coming, completely untouched.

[Alice]

I grew some. Planted them in June. I think conventional wisdom says plant July to prevent bolting but in Scotland it might be different. I had no problem with them and got a good crop. You can see some here. Give it a go next year.

[Maf]

Nice one Alice.

I heard they were difficult and bolt at every opportunity ?

When you say 'planted' in June do you mean 'sowed' or 'planted out' ?

I have a huge bag of Franchi seed for next year

[Alice]

I sowed the seeds in June Maf, so probably set the plants out in July. I believe they do bolt if they're started too early. It's the first time I've grown them but had no problem.

[maximepaul]

Florence Fennel (the bulbous thing), or fluffy fennel ?
I have bronze fennel self-seeding itself everywhere, it's a total pain.

The bulbous one

[maximepaul]

I grew some. Planted them in June. I think conventional wisdom says plant July to prevent bolting but in Scotland it might be different. I had no problem with them and got a good crop. You can see some here. Give it a go next year.
[ATTACH]5842[/ATTACH]

They look lovely alice can't wait to try them they are so nice to eat!!!

[tootles]

Well mine ALL bolted - can't remember when I sowed or planted though!!
(must be more organised next year)

[wiccanlou]

I'm lucky as I don't need to plant fennel as loads of it grows wild around my village but I have never actually dug it up to eat the only thing I have ever one is take the top to put in food. When would be the best time to go and get it from our local hedgerow for the bulbs?

[Maf]

I have some (admittedly shop bought) Fennel in the oven as we speak (type?)

Always thought it was horrid stuff until I had some on hols.


3ish bulbs chopped downward into 1cm slices.
5ish bannana shallots halved.
Chopped chilli, loads of garlic and season to taste.
Huge glugs of olive oil and squeeze of lemon.

Roast till just going crispy then toss though hot penne

[Novice Gardener]

I sowed some in early June and it bolted, I tried again third week in July and although only two of the seeds (out of 8) germinated, I had lovely juicy fat bulbs which I harvested yesterday. I'll definately try again, but next year I'll hang on till late July. Not sure if it makes a difference, but I sowed the first lot in my garden and watered them every evening, but the second lot I sowed at my lottie, and only watered them immediately after sowing.

[vegnut]

I'm sure that i read somewhere, to sow them in august so that they don't bolt. Not tried it myself yet though. Maybe next year.

[maximepaul]

3ish bulbs chopped downward into 1cm slices.
5ish bannana shallots halved.
Chopped chilli, loads of garlic and season to taste.
Huge glugs of olive oil and squeeze of lemon.

Roast till just going crispy then toss though hot penne [/QUOTE]

Sounds lovely maf will try that one
Have you tried Fennel Risotto?? is lovely its a jamie oliver recipe (jamies italy)