Fennel Question

Smeg77

I've got two bits of Fennel in the ground, and they seem to be doing really well, the only thing is I don't actually know when you're meant to pull them up.

How do I know when the Fennel is ready to eat?

Farway

Is it the bulbous fennel or the leafy herb sort?

If the former then when it [bulbous base] is large enough to eat, have a look in the shops to see the sort of size I mean, the base swells so you will see it above ground, no need to pull them up to check on size

Smeg77

Ok now you've stumped me, I hadn't realised there were two types.

I'll take a pic when I get home and post it.

Best way to describe it, it the leaves (if you can call them that) look a bit like a Pin tree, so very thin and almost like grey/brown twigs.

stumpycat

If it's herb fennel, the base won't swell, but it's a lovely plant - my cats spend hours sleeping under it.

I was watching something recently that said that bulb fennel starts swelling as the days get shorter, so you may need to give it a while yet.

quietheart

I've recently got an allotment with loads of herby fennel on it, any suggestions on it's uses?

mardatha

I just grab bits off and chew them. I like aniseed !

Lotus-eater

Seconded, my kids and their friends eat the seeds like little sweets.
I do too

meanmarie

We have both kinds and use the herb to throw on the barbecue, especially when cooking fish, also stuff fish with it when baking and love it. It dies back every year and grows to about 6/7 feet in the growing season.

Florence, or bulb fennel is about ready to pull now, is swelling quite quickly so am at present pulling the biggest one or two to braise with meat in oven, we have more coming on so you can't wait until it is all large or you will lose some...suppose you could freeze it but I have never tried so can't advise.

Marie

dogstarheaven

the herb fennel in flower (small yellow spray flowers) are really attractive to bees and hoverflies. there is a bronze fennel which is a more attractive colouring in the leaves which i prefer. i too love the taste of fennel and i use it to stuff in fish, or just to freshen my breath!:j