Organic Fennel. Foeniculum vulgare.

Description

Organic Fennel. Foeniculum vulgare.

Organic Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare is a hardy perennial plant that can be used for tea, herb and medicinal. A particularly ornamental culinary herb and flowering plant in the carrot family, Apiaceae, which works equally as well in ornamental borders as it does in herb and vegetable gardens. Fennel has very finely divided foliage and attractive, plate-like yellow flowers followed by aromatic seeds. The flowers are attractive to insects, especially hoverflies, and the seeds are eaten by birds. Fennel has a strong aniseed flavour. Use the bulb sparingly, in soups or roasted and served with other root vegetables, or sliced in salads. The leaves may be harvested and used in pesto, and the seeds in curries.

How to grow

Start off in pots and transplant out March to April or sow out directly April to August. Light dependant germinator so grow in moist but well drained sandy soil.

Problem solving

Likes full sun. Protect young seedlings and plants from slugs.

Uses

Carminative (helps let off gas), laxitive. Blend with bicarbonate of soda makes gripe water.
Allow some to grow on to seed, then you can save them and also use them in remedies and food.
As with all herbs we need to say to you to only use them for medicinal purposes, when you know what you are doing, with the help of a professional herbalist or health care practitioner.

Cultural history

Indiginous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the sea coast and on riverbanks.

Avg contents: 100 seeds.