Fennel - one more time!

If you follow my blog, then you know about my struggles with growing fennel (anise). In the end, my attempt to grow it was a complete bust. Not only did the garden invaders cause trouble, the mammoth zucchini plants took over, blocking out all sun. Hence, no fennel!

I'm not going to give up though! This year I'm planting it in a different spot. I've also now learned that fennel grows best on its own. So, I've got a special place for it this year. We shall see what happens!

Attack of the Zucchini!

Here's my vegetable patch. You may be able to see some fennel fronds finally sprouting. Also planted some leek seeds, and I believe the spindly things may be the leeks. Have never planted either so it is a wonder to me as to what they look like as they grow. It's been very cold and wet, and I must say, I'm underwhelmed by the slow growth. Kind of a lunch bag let down so far. I wasn't sure if the slowness was due to my ineptitude as a vegetable gardener or the weather. The weather channel reported that farmers are a week behind, so maybe it's not just me.

What is shocking me is the size of the zucchini! I planted those seeds long after the fennel and leeks. I believe they are going to overtake my entire small plot. I read somewhere that one to two zucchini plants is more than enough for a small family. I've got three. Must look up several zucchini recipes soon.

Growing Fennel - Part 2

I realize that I did not talk about how to actually grow Fennel in my last post, as I was preoccupied with the garden invader(s). You may know fennel as Anise.

So, here are some facts about growing fennel:

• Fennel likes rich soil and full sun
• Needs plenty of water, especially during dry periods
• Plant seeds in early spring, 8” apart, then thin to 12” apart
• Seeds can also be sown in early autumn – if in very cold climate (zone 6) cover with mulch
• Cover base of fennel with soil when it grows to the size of a golf ball and keep covered until ready to harvest
• Remove flower heads as they appear
• After about 2 weeks, the bulb(s) will be large enough to eat

Source: “What Herb is That?” by John and Rosemary Hamphill
Buy this book at Indigo/Chapters by clicking on the link to the right

Below is a video about planting fennel.

Growing Fennel

The Fennel Mystery

I have recently been using a lot of fennel in my cooking (see recipe below). I love the taste. I also read that it is good for PMS and menopause symptoms.

So I decided to plant some seeds. This was done about 3 weeks ago, along with some leek seeds. The leeks are sprouting, but not the fennel! Not sure if this is usual or not, having not grown fennel before.

I highly suspect there is a pest in my vegetable garden, as not only is the fennel not appearing, but the heads of two of my red pepper plants have been lopped off. We, in Ontario, Canada, have had unusually heavy rain for this time of year, so I'm not sure if the rain battered the pepper plants, or if some unknown pest has been at them.

Sauteed Fennel

1 Fennel bulb
1 - 2 tbl. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Serves 2

1. Slice end from fennel and remove outer leaves. Remove core.
2. Slice length-wise 1/4" thick
   
3. Heat olive oil in frying pan
4. Sprinkle Fennel slices with salt and pepper
5. Place fennel slices in pan, and brown on one side.
6. Turn over and brown on the other
7. Lower heat to minimum, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until soft

Bon appetite!

How to stop slugs and snails from eating your plants

Something's Been Eating My Sage!

Do the leaves on your plants look as if some beastie has been nibbling? You may have slugs or snails. I noticed that my Sage has become a meal for snails or slugs, which I know lurk during the day in my garden, then dig into my plants at night.

They also love my Hostas. A friend of mine gave me some beautiful Hostas from her garden, which are very precious to me. I notice that they too are being eaten, so I've researched some ways to organically control these pests. These methods are also good for veggie gardens where slugs and snails like to feast.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
DE is readily available from your local nursery. It's a very fine dust of diaton skeletons. These are made of silicon and very sharp to a slug or snail, and even ants. The snail or slug will get miniscule cuts as they slither their way through the dust. It may not kill them but it will deter them!

How to use: Sprinkle the dust around base of plants, and on leaves.

*DO NOT INHALE*

Egg Shells
Egg shells not only deter slugs and snails, they also act as a fertilizer. They are especially beneficial to fast growing plants like fennel, peppers, green beans and tomatoes. They deter slugs and snails in much the same way as DE.

How to use:

• Rinse shells thoroughly and air dry
• Place in bag and crush
• Spread crushed shells around bases of plants

Make a Beer Trap
This method seems to be favoured by people I've talked to and in books I've read. The critters fall into the beer and drown - cruel, I know, but it's them or your plants.

How to use:
Bury a recycled pie plate, plastic container in soil so that the brim is level with the soil. Some people just place a saucer in their gardens. Fill with beer to near to top of container. Check trap daily to dispose of pests and refill with beer.

Copper Strips
Studies have shown that slugs and snails get an electric shock when in contact with copper. You could try Doff Copper Slug Tape - 4m - Protects Approx 12 x 5 inch pots.

How to use: You can purchase copper backed paper and staple it to 3" wide boards, placed as a border around your garden.

I'd love to hear about your methods to control slugs and snails - what did you do and did it work. Or if you have general feedback on the content of The Bloomin' Blog, feel free to leave a comment.

And if the are non of these work, you may find a solution in 29 Ways to Get Rid of Snails and Slugs in Your Garden

Sources
The Truth About Organic Gardening, by Jeff Gillman
The Organic Gardeners Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control, by Barbara W. Ellis and Fern Marshall Bradley
To buy these books, click on the Indigo Chapters.ca link to the right.