911±¬ÁÏ

Fennel is a large attractive plant with soft feathery leaves and tall stems topped with flat clusters of tiny yellow flowers in summer. The leaves, flowers and seeds have an aniseed flavour and aroma and can be infused to make tea, added to salads or used in cooking.

Two forms of fennel are widely available – green-leaved common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and the bronze-leaved variety F. vulgare ‘Purpureum’. They are both grown in the same way and are equally tasty and aromatic, although bronze fennel is slightly hardier.

You can see many herbs, including fennel, growing in the herb plots at all the 911±¬ÁÏ gardens, so do visit to see how they are grown and pick up useful tips and inspiration.

Fennel is best sown straight into its final growing site in mid- to late spring. It can also be started off indoors, but dislikes root disturbance, so use modules to keep the rootball intact when transplanting. Alternatively, you can buy young fennel plants in pots and carefully transfer them to their growing site without disturbing the roots. Buying  young plants is often a good option if you only want one or two of these ultimately large plants.

Choose a sheltered, sunny growing site with light, free-draining soil. Fennel grows fast and makes a big, tall plant, so allow it plenty of space, with at least 30cm (1ft) between neighbouring plants.

Young fennel plants grown from seed indoors should be moved outside as soon as possible, before their tap root forms. Harden off first, to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions.

Water young fennels well before transplanting, then gently lift them out of their plastic module and pop them straight into the ground without disturbing the roots. Position them at the same level they were previously growing at and space them at least 30cm (1ft) apart, then water in well.

Bought fennel plants should be planted outside in late spring or early summer using the same method.

Alternatively, you could plant one young fennel into a large container, at least 30cm (1ft) wide and deep, filled with multi-purpose compost.

Protect young fennel plants from slugs and snails.

Harvest sprigs of young leaves as required from spring to autumn. The more leaves you harvest, the more will be produced.

The flowers can be added to salads, and the seeds can be used fresh over the summer months or dried for later use.

To dry the seeds – for use in cookery or for sowing – cut whole seedheads in late summer when they ripen. Place in a paper bag until the seeds dry out and fall. Then store the seeds in an air-tight container.

Fennel is usually vigorous and healthy, when given plenty of sun, warmth and free-draining soil. Avoid waterlogged sites, as the roots may rot. Fennel is drought tolerant, so is generally unaffected by dry conditions.

Fennel is troubled by very few pests or diseases – just look out for:  

• Slugs and snails – these like to eat fennel seedlings and young plants, so put deterrents in place. They may also feed on the fresh new shoots of established plants, but shouldn’t do any serious damage.

• Aphids – these may colonise the shoots in spring and early summer, but generally require no treatment