Another Perennial Vegetable: Bronze Fennel and How to Save the Seeds

John from www.growingyour... talks about another one of his perennial vegetables he is growing. Bronze Fennel has many uses in the kitchen and in the garden. Watch this video to learn more about the different types of fennel and how John likes to use his Fennel and how to harvest fennel seeds.

[@PictureLighting]

Love our Bronze Fennel plants and they survived cold winters (-15F) easily. Great host for Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillars too. I use the young tender leaves to spice salad. Seeds are good for sausage. Some days I just pop a few young tender leaves like a breath freshener, supposedly good for congestion and digestion too. Harsh at first, very liquorish, but it grows on you. Plants eventually get grey aphids, we do not spray, but enjoy them before that. We generally trim the dry and dead stalks in late winter before growth begins so plants start off new each spring from the bottom. Thanks for the video.

[@renaew6212]

I just came across your fennel video trying to look up where fennel seeds come from and trying to understand if the seeds came from what I learned in your video is Florence or finochio fennel! I'm trying to learn about a more say, advanced level of cooking and your ideo was very informative and I learned more than I expected! Thank u

[@amy3458]

Thank you so much, John! I know you put this up a long time ago but could you or anyone else answer a question? My companion planting book, Carrots Love Tomatoes, says you shouldn't grow fennel near other vegetables in the garden because it inhibits their growth and production. Have you, John, or anyone else, noticed this type of effect on other plants in your garden? THANKS!

[@tribalwind]

also used to make "Mukhwas", an Indian after-meal snack / digestive aid of fennel seeds, anise seeds, coconut, and sesame seeds.mainly. you'll find it at a lot of indian restaurants.

[@growingyourgreens]

Correct. I was going to mention that in the video. "They Say" some plants dont like to be planted too close to fennel. last year had tomatoes in close proximity- within 2 feet, and they were fine. the sorrel is fine right next to it.

[@flyingemu27]

Great info, John. Thanks. :D

[@michaelstanger]

Thanks I will try

[@pamb.310]

Ty for the video

[@M1STYWORLD]

Thanks for the info great video :O)

[@lanamulyar6021]

I've discovered that taking fresh fennel, dill, cilantro, parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, green garlic scapes with some truffle salt and pepper and mixing in with potatoes & purple sweet potatoes then roasting makes for some DELISH eating!!! 1st year growing fennel and I will neved go without again!!❤

[@VOST0K]

@fiending Unless you have a serious digestion problem, like total blockage that puts you in the emergency room, you should have no reason to detox your colon. Those detox programs are a scam, you're already clean down there lol. If you really have a problem you should see a doctor.

[@anniequilts]

You eat all kinds of things like flowers and parts of the plant I didn't know you could eat. Is there a web site to learn this stuff or maybe a book?

[@AScrappinIdeadotcom]

John, this is my first year growing sweet fennel. The plant is already over 2 ft tall and bushy. My concern is that while watering my fennel I found 3 tiny white caterpillars. Are these a butterfly caterpillar? I have never seen these before, can you tell me what type of caterpillar this is?

[@omoroomoro]

Fennel and anise with ground chicken, pork or turkey make a good pepperoni sausage. Add paprika for color. I use my food processor to chop the meat. I form the sausage into to patties and it is low fat, unlike store bought sausage. Search for a real recipe online to perfect what I have written. Oh, I add egg whites to bind the ingredients. I use oatmeal as a healthy filler. Have fun.

[@BlueCherryFae]

I've been growing bronze fennel for years just because its a pretty plant. It makes a great looking plant for those who don't want the institutional garden look in their front yards. Once the plants dry out and the seeds form, you really really need to clip it. I've had fennel starts all over my garden from the seeds. But like you, I just let them grow. Its a great plant to have.

[@Ellie-yx8ni]

Excellent video! I am going to be growing bronze fennel for the first time this spring, but I have been cooking with fennel seeds for years. My mom always took a heaping teaspoon of fennel seeds and lightly crushed them with a mortar and pestle and adds that to her lasagna sauce. I do that and also add it to all tomato based pasta sauces. It doesn't make it taste like licorice, it just gives it a wonderful dimension. A small bottle costs like $5-6 here in SC. so I will be glad to harvest some of my own seeds this year. Thanks for all the great other ideas for eating this herb. Also, I read it shouldn't be planted anywhere near dill as it will alter the taste of the dill. :)

[@nosuchthingasauserna]

Finally! Someone who knows something about fennel! I just purchased some seeds and it's not something anyone I know has ever grown. It's awesome to have someone online who knows something about it. :)

[@StefanoD420]

Thank you very much for this video, the concept of the apricot really explained things well! Was having troubles understanding when to use the seeds (when they start to turn brownish, or when they are completely dry), I guess both are valid options depending on the purpose!

[@martilindsey]

@martenfisher1 I have bulb fennel growing in a bed with thyme, dill, carrots and onions. they all seem to be thriving.

[@snappyjdog]

i never knew fennel could get that freak'n huge.