Fennel seeds
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a perennial plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It has yellowish umbels and long, thin, dill-like leaves. Fennel is incredibly easy to grow and also very useful as the entire plant is edible.
The taste of fennel is sweet and spicy with a hint of licorice. The fresh, deliciously light green bulb can be cut into slightly thicker pieces for stews and soups or thinly sliced and used in salads. It also works great to cook the bulb in the oven by, for example, dividing it into wedges and roasting them or making a creamy gratin out of them. Fennel seeds are often used as a bread spice thanks to their unique licorice flavor but are also a common seasoning in stews. The green, dill-like leaves can be chopped or snipped over soup or used as a topping and decoration on dishes.
Fennel can be pre-cultivated indoors for earlier harvesting but can also be sown directly in the planting location. Fennel prefers loose and rich soil with good drainage. It can grow in both sun and semi-shade but keep in mind that too early direct sowing or planting can lead to stem formation and lack of bulbs.
Companion plant fennel with: Cucumber, lettuce, and peas
Do not companion plant fennel with: Beans, coriander, and tomatoes.
