Fantastic Fennel (happy dance)

[Andromeda]

I thought I'd share one of my triumphs of the season...



The picture is one of 10 fennel plants lifted yesterday - I was ecstatic when I saw how well they had done in such a difficult season.

[PyreneesPlot]

Very very nice.
I've not had a good fennel year - just lots of tiddlers and one which has bolted and now is swallowtail butterfly caterpillar food.
Fennel risotto or just raw with lemon juice are our favourites.

[Kleftiwallah]

Stop gloating - and tell us all your secrets!

Cheers, Tony.

[zazen999]

Very nice. #Jealous

[ancee]

OOOO I'm trying fennel out this year and I'm in Yorkshire too (South) so this gives me hope

[Andromeda]

The 'secrets' are:

1. A war on snugs - the little (or not so little in many cases) s*** love fennel!
2. Stay on top on the earthing up

I am really pleased, it's the first really successful year I've had with fennel. I've had small ones before but nothing like this. I've grown 'Solaris' and 'Fino', both equally successful and very tasty - personally I think the fino is slightly better for roasting but both work well.

[Pinfold Plotter]

I am so jealous. Mine were tiddlers (they tasted nice before they bolted though). Next year!

[northepaul]

I've grown it for over two years now, but rarely does it bulb, usually it just gets tall and looks pretty!

[Vince G]

Had some success with fennel too, but a lot of it bolted as I didn't use it up quick enough as Mrs Vince is not a fan. Amazed you're still harvesting as mine was finished end of August. I know you're further north than me so things might be a couple of weeks later, but I'm surprised mine were so much earlier than yours. Perhaps I'll delay sowing next year and I might get bigger bulbs.