Author: Elvira Bowen

Fennel has a definite licorice scent but no purple spots on the stalks; poison hemlock does not smell of licorice and does have purple blotches. How do you detect Hemlock? Identification and Look-Alikes Poison-hemlock stems have reddish or purple spots and streaks, are not hairy, and are hollow. Leaves are bright green, fern-like, finely divided, […]

Wild Fennel is completely edible, from the roots to the seeds. Its leaves are best eaten when very young. I love to pull out the new shoots and peel off the layers to get to the juicy core: sweet, crunchy and so yummy raw. Older leaves can be used as a garnish or chopped up […]

Fennel fends off snails Grossed out by slugs and snails? Fennel is a natural repellent that also has many uses in the kitchen. Here are 8 more patio plants you can eat. What herb is good for insect repellent? Herbs That Repel Bugs Lemon Balm. Lemon Balm contains high levels of a compound called citronellal, […]

Chefs of all levels incorporate fennel leaves (similar in texture to dill), pollen, and essential oils into dishes worldwide. Fennel is often confused with anise because their seeds have a similar appearance and flavor and North American grocery stores often label fennel bulbs as “anise.” Is fennel called anise? That bulb with stalks and frondlike […]

Plant prefers full sun and fast draining soils. Sow in spring by laying seed flat on potting soil, cover with 1/4 inch of compost, tamp securely and keep evenly moist until germination, which can take several weeks. Individuate seedlings and work up in pots until sufficiently sized to transplant out to the landscape. Can you […]

Fennel harvesting tips The seeds: Ideally harvested when they are still green. Clip the flower heads and rinse several times in hot water to remove any bugs or dirt, then lay them on a paper bag and air-dry for a few weeks. When they are completely dry, remove the seeds and store in an airtight […]

Fennel was originally a native of Europe and Asia and introduced for use as a spice, in medicinal compounds and as an ornamental shrub. It’s leaves smell of aniseed. It is difficult to remove completely as the plant has a deep taproot and lots of lateral roots and resprouts after fire. Is wild fennel invasive? […]

Dog-Fennel Species Description Allergenicity: Dog-Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is a mild allergen. Pollination: Occurs in following seasons depending on latitude and elevation: Summer to Fall. Is Dog Fennel toxic? The plant tissue of dogfennel contains an alkaloid toxin, pyrrolizidine. In mammals this compound causes liver damage and potentially fatal fluid retentions, if consumed in large quantities. […]

What Does Fennel Taste Like? “Anise-flavored” is the term used most often to describe fennel’s flavor—but that doesn’t mean it tastes like a licorice stick! In fact, fresh fennel’s anise factor is delicate and mild; many self-proclaimed licorice-haters find that they actually like it. Why do fennel seeds taste like licorice? Anise is an annual […]

Bronze Fennel is an herbaceous perennial, hardy in USDA zones 5-11. It prefers full sun but can handle partial shade. It does best in rich, moist, well-drained soil, though it is drought-resistant. How quickly does bronze fennel grow? Mist the planting area each day with a spray nozzle attached to the garden hose until the […]

With a slightly sweet, licorice-like taste, fennel provides a wonderful flavor to so many dishes. You can eat it raw, roasted, or cooked in salads, stews, soups, and pasta dishes. In fact, fennel is often used as the base for flavorful broths that chefs use to braise fish and meats. What food goes well with […]

Bronze fennel is one of three fennel varieties, which include Sweet fennel and Florence fennel. Beyond the differences in color of the plant, there is little difference in the uses of fennel varieties. All parts of plant, from the stem to the leaves, seeds and root, are edible. Are there two types of fennel? There […]