Biological Name:
Foeniculum vulgare (Tall-Fennel)
Natural Habitat:
Tall-Fennel: Typically found in coastal regions, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Description:
Tall-Fennel also known as Foeniculum is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is a biennial herb that can grow up to six feet tall and it has small oval-shaped leaves and small yellow or white flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is known for its sweet anise-like aroma and it is often used as a culinary herb in cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is giant fennel invasive?
A: The extremely invasive Foeniculum vulgare is in the carrot (Apiaceae) family. It is native to Southern Europe and is problematic in coastal California and is also present throughout the western US all the way to Texas.
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Q: What should not be planted near fennel?
A: Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others. Plant it, but keep it out of the veggie garden.
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Q: Will fennel grow back after cutting?
A: Fennel can be started from seed, but it’s also one of those vegetables that regrow very well from the stub that’s left over after you finish cooking with it.
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Q: Will fennel come back every year?
A: Does fennel come back every year? The herb fennel is a short-lived perennial, so will come back each year. However, the plants will only last 3-4 years before you need to replace them. Fennel bulbs are harvested in their entirety for culinary use, so are grown as annuals.
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Q: Does fennel stop other plants from growing?
A: These questions are essential because fennel plants will prevent other varieties of herbs and vegetables from growing or cause them to bolt early in the growing season if planted too close.
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Q: Why is fennel not a good companion plant?
A: Fennel makes a poor companion plant for just about every crop, secreting a substance from its roots that inhibits the growth of its neighbors. It is particularly effective insidious against beans (Phaseolus spp.), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and kohl rabi (Brassica oleracea var.
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Q: Does fennel like sun or shade?
A: Fennel is a sun-loving plant, so plant it where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sun. Plant fennel after the last spring frost. This plant can tolerate light frosts, but needs protection when young.
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Q: What are the different types of fennel?
A: There are three varieties of fennel, which are used in different ways: common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare), sweet fennel which is used as a herb (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) and the bulb fennel, also known as Florence fennel or finocchio, that is treated as a vegetable (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum).
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Q: Are there 2 types of fennel?
A: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) There are two types of fennel, herb and Florence, both of which are extremely popular – as well as highly ornamental – and much loved by cooks for use in the kitchen for their aniseed-liquorice flavours.
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Q: Can you eat all varieties of fennel?
A: But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious. Each part of the fennel plant has a different texture and use: the bulb, the long stalks that make up the length of the plant and the fringe of fronds at the top all have their place in the kitchen.
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Q: Is fennel poisonous to dogs?
A: In the event someone has told you that fennel is bad for your dog, the reality is that this herb and its seeds are perfectly safe for your pup. With that in mind, you can certainly add extra fennel to your dog’s food without worry.
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Q: Which parts of fennel are not edible?
A: Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.
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Q: What else looks like fennel?
A: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) resembles fennel. Both are originally from Europe, are naturalized in California and grow in similar places. Poison hemlock can easily kill an adult if as little as a spoonful of seeds or leaves are ingested.
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Q: Is eating fennel good for you?
A: Both the flavorful, crunchy bulb and aromatic seeds of the fennel plant are highly nutritious and may offer an abundance of impressive health benefits. Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.
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Q: Can fennel get too big?
A: The bulb should measure at least 2 inches (5 cm.) in length but no more than 3 inches (8 cm.), about the size of a tennis ball. Harvesting fennel bulbs larger than this will be disappointing as the bulbs tend to get stringy and tough with age.
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Q: Should I cut back my fennel?
A: Fennel is a hardy perennial herb, which will die back to ground level in winter. When this happens, tidy up the plants by cutting back flower stems and removing dead and dying foliage.
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Q: Can you do anything with the top of fennel?
A: You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they’re delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.
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Q: Does fennel come back year after year?
A: Does fennel come back every year? The herb fennel is a short-lived perennial, so will come back each year. However, the plants will only last 3-4 years before you need to replace them. Fennel bulbs are harvested in their entirety for culinary use, so are grown as annuals.
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Q: What should not be planted next to fennel?
A: Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others. Plant it, but keep it out of the veggie garden.
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Q: When should I pull up my fennel bulb?
A: Fennel is ready to harvest after approximately 90 days. Fennel leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant is well established. Only take a few leaves at a time to not cause harm to the plant. The bulb is ready for harvest once it reaches the size of a tennis ball.
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Q: How tall does bulb fennel grow?
A: Do not crowd bulb fennel plants, especially in spring, or you will encourage bolting. The plants will grow 36†tall or more, and the stems and delicate foliage can be eaten or made into teas. Herb fennel may grow to 60â€.
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Q: What is the difference between fennel and Florence fennel?
A: There are two types of fennel. The first is common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), an upright aromatic herb with feathery foliage and umbels of yellow flowers. The second is Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum), a bulbous variety eaten as a vegetable.
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Q: Should I let my fennel bulb flower?
A: Don’t let your bulb fennel run to seed or ‘bolt’. The number one rule when growing this otherwise easy-care vegetable is that you must – and I mean must – keep the roots quenched (though never waterlogged).
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