Fennel is 'Billy No-mates'?

[smallblueplanet]

Wondered what can be planted with/near fennel - apparently fennel is not liked by other plants!

Its going in anyway - but does anyone have any experience of growing it with other plants?

[andrewo]

I plant mine in the herb bed, I grow thyme and geraniums around them, as well as chives, oregano, lupins, roses and sweet peas up them. Not had any problems, have common fennels and bronze, right next door to each other and they are okay.

[Lesley Jay]

I grew some fantastic Florence Fennel last year. It was between a row of carrots and a row of beetroot. I haven't grown the herb fennel.

[pigletwillie]

Is the bulb fennel as hard to grow as they say, I love it with fish? Any tips most welcome.

[Lesley Jay]

It was really easy to grow. I sowed the seed direct in the ground but spaced it out so that I wouldn't need to thin the seedlings out. I didn't do anything special - just a bit of growmore and kept them properly watered in the hot weather. They grew fantastic. Really huge.

[rosheen]

I found it very difficult to grow it took a lot of effort with little reward very small bulbs - tough as old boots, however foliage quite tasty as soup flavouring stayed all winter birds, ate the seed and I put it into the compost a little time ago. I am trying again this year and again until it learns who's boss.

[smallblueplanet]

Try growing different types, and planting it either late or early to help with its tendency to bolt.

[Sal]

If I remember rightly my parents used to grow some in their garden up against a chicken wire fence in their fruit garden - next to rasberries, strawb's, goosberry bushes. Where did you hear that it hates other plants? Is it something to do with the amount of light or soil ph it needs?

[Sal]

BTW carrots taste great cooked with a bit of grated ginger root and 1/2 tsp fennel seeds to every 2 medium carrots - don't cook mine any other way now after getting the comment 'wow, these are great carrots' from a complete meat eater after serving up a roast dinner laden with beef and gravy
I'm a veggie and even I couldn't think up a comment as random as that about veg. Any takers?

[smallblueplanet]

..... Where did you hear that it hates other plants? Is it something to do with the amount of light or soil ph it needs?

If you google (I think you're safe with fennel ) for info on companion planting, most info pops up with 'no-one' likes it!

[Sal]

Ah, I see. What about planting it in pots? This may stop it bolting too.