Fennel is a perennial representative of the Umbelliferae family. It grows wild in the Crimea, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. It is included in the flora of the Americas, China, and Japan. The cultivation of vegetable fennel is widespread in many countries of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It is cultivated as a medicinal, vegetable and spicy plant.
Fennel. Botanical characteristic
The appearance of fennel is very similar to dill, but has a different structure of the fruit and a more refined (reminiscent of anise) smell. The height of the plant often reaches two meters. Fennel has a rounded, upright stem strongly branching upwards. Smooth alternate leaves. Blooms all summer months. Yellow small flowers are collected in simple umbrellas, which are collected in a flat complex umbrella 15-20 cm in diameter. Oblong greyish-green two-seeded seeds with a pleasant anise aroma and eat fennel fruit.
Fennel
Growing from seeds is the main way, but it is possible to propagate it by dividing an adult plant into several parts. Properly selected seeds for sowing are the key to successful fennel cultivation. In specialized stores, two types of fennel are available to choose from - ordinary (pharmacy dill) and vegetable (Italian). What is their difference? Ordinary will delight with fragrant herbs and medicinal seeds. With the skillful cultivation of the Italian variety, you get a crop of snow-white dense stalks.
Fennel. Cultivation
Seeds are sown in the soil before winter or early spring to a depth of 2 cm. The distance between the rows is 50 cm. According to the advice of experienced gardeners, the bed should be after root crops and prepared in advance in this way:
- For 1 sq. m of soil contribute 1 bucket of humus, 200 g of lime, 2 liter cans of stale sawdust. At will (or persuasion) 2 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate.
- If sowing is carried out in the spring, to preserve moisture, the bed is kept under a film until May.
Seeds germinate 10-14 days after sowing, at an average daily temperature of 8 degrees Celsius.
After the appearance of friendly seedlings (on the 5-10th day), the plants are necessarily thinned out (1 stalk per 20 cm), since high-quality stalk develops up to 10 cm in diameter. After that, it is necessary to fertilize with mullein infusion.
Cooking mullein
Initially preparing a working solution. 1/3 capacityfill with cow dung, 2/3 topped up with water and mix well. To prepare mullein, the working solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10.
Fennel. Cultivation in the backyard - advice from gardeners
In various literature, it is recommended to repeatedly spud fennel. Cultivation by gardeners has shown different results. With frequent hilling, the snow-white stalk gets dirty, the earth remains between the cuttings. To avoid contamination of fennel, protection is needed - about 20 cm in the form of a ring of two-liter plastic bottles. No matter how ridiculous it sounds, but practice has shown the need for such "clothes". The ring is put on, slightly buried in the ground, on the plant before hilling. It is recommended to feed twice during the growth period with mullein infusion and water the fennel regularly. It's not that hard to grow it. And the result is the enjoyment of its greenery during the summer, and by autumn, beautiful snow-white stalks.
