Fennel only grows abroad?

[midnightcatprowl]

I like using fennel (the white bulb) and its fronds in cooking. I notice however that all fennel seems to be imported from the European mainland. This seems to apply all year round in contrast with some foods which are often imported but which do seem to have a UK grown season. Does anyone know why this is? Is there some particular obstacle - such as type of soil - to growing fennel in the UK?

[paullidd]

https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/learning/plant/florence-fennel

you could try this link or look at the Royal horticultural Society web site.

Paul

[dionaeamuscipula]

I like using fennel (the white bulb) and its fronds in cooking. I notice however that all fennel seems to be imported from the European mainland. This seems to apply all year round in contrast with some foods which are often imported but which do seem to have a UK grown season. Does anyone know why this is? Is there some particular obstacle - such as type of soil - to growing fennel in the UK?

Everything you ever wanted to know about growing fennel but were afraid to ask:

https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/con ... 5305680557

Slightly plaintively asks anyone actually bothering to contact the author.

DM

[Breelander]

I notice however that all fennel seems to be imported from the European mainland...

Apparently not all...

Produce of
United Kingdom,Italy,Netherlands

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... /294037697

Origin Information
Italy (incl Vatican City)
Netherlands
Tunisia
United Kingdom

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ ... 852-469853

[Rhyd6]

We grow fennel and have been doing so for years. I'm not particularly fond of it as a veg preferring to use the fronds and seeds as flavouring but OH loves the bulbs especially with a cheese sauce. I've never bought any from a supermarket or anywhere else so can't say if the flavour differs at all.

R6

[stevensfo]

It does seem to be one of those vegetables that people seem to either love or hate. I like it, but then I'm very much a 'savoury' person. I also use the herbal tea at night. Much tastier than camomile but sends me to sleep just as fast.

Steve

[UncleEbenezer]

Agree Steve, it's a nice cuppa tea for last thing at night.

I semi-regularly use it with ginger as lead flavours for a veggie stirfry. Fennel+ginger (& optional other spices like black cumin) as a direct alternative to the more usual onion/garlic/chilli core flavours. Add mushrooms, cashews, and whatever general stirfry ingredients you have to hand.

I never paid any attention to its origin. I buy the bulbs loose, so no labels.

[Garless]

Used to grow a fennel bulb for leaves and seeds for cooking in Cheltenham. Lasted for years till a very wet winter rotted it. This was in a clay soil.

[JMN2]

We grow fennel and have been doing so for years. I'm not particularly fond of it as a veg preferring to use the fronds and seeds as flavouring but OH loves the bulbs especially with a cheese sauce. I've never bought any from a supermarket or anywhere else so can't say if the flavour differs at all.

R6

You say fennel, but endive which is similar is a very popular old-fashioned dish in Belgium: endives, bechamel-sauce, grated cheese, oven, a gratin to drink beer with, on a sofa, watching a movie, pure comfort.

[brightncheerful]

I eat fennel regularly. Organic. Steamed and cut into slices.

Not having grown fennel myself I don't know if it's the same as for asparagus (which I have grown) but I'd have thought that one has to allow a couple of years before harvesting/cropping otherwise the bulb you're eating would be the only bulb growing.

Fennell seeds steeped in hot water for a few minutes make a pleasant drink. Chewing fennel seeds can also be helpful as an aid for remedying indigestion. The leaves are not dissimilar to dill in taste.