Unwins Grow Your Own Herb Seeds - Aniseed Flavour
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This guide is for home gardeners looking to cultivate their own aromatic herbs with a distinctive aniseed flavor. The Unwins Fennel Seeds offer a highly ornamental plant that attracts beneficial insects and provides a useful culinary ingredient, especially for fish dishes. A caveat to note is its potential to become invasive if allowed to set seed.
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FAQs
When is the best time to sow fennel seeds?
You can sow fennel seeds outdoors from March to June, or start them indoors on a windowsill earlier in the spring.
How far apart should I space fennel plants?
Once seedlings have emerged outdoors, thin them to stand about 30 cm apart.
How do I harvest fennel leaves?
Harvest leaves when the plants are between 15 and 20 cm high. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth.
Can fennel be grown in pots?
Yes, you can sow a few seeds per 12 cm pot and keep them on a warm windowsill. Growing in pots can also help manage its potential invasiveness.
What are the culinary uses for fennel grown from these seeds?
The leaves have a distinct aniseed flavor and are particularly good in fish dishes, salads, or as a garnish.
Does fennel attract insects?
Yes, fennel flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects to the garden.
What should I do if my fennel plant starts to spread too much?
Prevent the plant from setting seed by removing flowers before they mature. This will help control its spread. Consider contained planting if needed.
Troubleshooting
Seeds not germinating
Ensure seeds were sown at the correct depth, soil is kept consistently moist, and conditions are warm enough. Try sowing a few more seeds.
Seedlings are weak or leggy
Seedlings may need more light. If grown indoors, move to a sunnier spot. If grown outdoors, ensure adequate spacing after thinning.
Plant is becoming too large and spreading
Deadhead flowers before they set seed to prevent self-seeding and manage the plant's spread. Consider growing in a container if invasiveness is a concern.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Adds a unique aniseed flavor to dishes.
- Highly ornamental plant with attractive flowers.
- Benefits the garden by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Versatile culinary and traditional medicinal uses.
- Relatively easy to grow from seed.
Cons
- Can become invasive if allowed to go to seed.
- Requires thinning of seedlings to ensure proper growth.
- Needs consistent moisture until established.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
Sowing Outdoors: Sow seeds thinly in shallow, pre-watered rows directly in your garden from March to June. Once seedlings appear, thin them to stand approximately 30 cm apart. Ensure the soil remains moist until the seedlings are well-established.
Sowing Indoors: Alternatively, sow a few seeds per 12 cm pot filled with seed compost. Lightly cover the seeds with more compost or vermiculite. Keep the pots moist and place them on a warm windowsill. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.
Harvesting: Harvest leaves when the plants reach a height of 15–20 cm. For culinary use, it's best to harvest before the plant flowers extensively.
Care: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the establishment phase. Monitor the plant to prevent it from setting seed, which can lead to invasiveness.
Compatibility: Fennel is compatible with most garden settings but thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Be mindful of its proximity to other plants due to its potential to spread.