JOE: My fennel is doing better this year. I think I just started the seeds too late last year but

L

luisa_calif

Well-known member
they didn't die over the winter and now I am getting a few nice ones coming up from last year's plants. Last year I cut 2 and they weren't very "fat" My daughter ( nursery manager at the native plant nursery in SF presidio) says they are invasive...

 
I have some sprouting wild this year too, from the plants that got away from me and went to seed.

I don't think the bulbing type is as invasive as its leggy wild cousin, at least I hope not.

Good luck--it's such a delicious vegetable.

 
Assuming it's the bulb type, harvest it when it's plump at the base but before it shows any signs of

flower stalks forming. By then the bulb will be too tough to eat, but the flowers are very pretty so you might as well leave it.

It's okay to pick them early--young fennel is more tender. I lost quite a few by waiting and hoping they'd get bigger.

If it's the wild type it won't form a bulb. Use the leaves as it grows, then let it flower and go to seed and harvest the seeds.

 
I found out I have a Florence Fennel plant. I also read that it takes a few months

to develop. Meantime, I will use the wonderful leaves in my cooking.

 
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