Fennel is a hardy perennial herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. Its leaves and seeds are used as flavouring in a variety of dishes, in eastern European cooking for their aromatic properties. Fennel seeds are also used in some cultures medicinally as a purgative to help digestion and assist with stomach gripes. Always consult a qualified herbal practitioner before using this plant medicinally or a qualified aromatherapist if using its essential oil, especially if pregnant.
Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Plant Life Cycle: Perennial
Optimal Germination Temperature: 18C
Germination time in days: 7-14 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 60-90 days
Sunlight: full sun
Soil requirement: rich soil
Sowing and cultivation: Sow directly outdoors from March to July into well prepared soil in a sunny spot when temperatures reach around 13-18C. Sow seeds thinly into drills 1 cm deep and 38 cm apart. When fennel seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30 cm apart
