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!

Keeping cats and squirrels out of your garden

Mystery of the Disappearing Fennel
Chapter 2

In the first installment of this vegetable growing mystery, I mentioned this evidence:

• Fennel seeds not sprouting
• Red pepper tops lopped off

Suspect #1
Torontogardens suggested this might be the work of a crazed “menopausal” squirrel, absconding with my Fennel seeds. Following this lead, I liberally sprinkled red pepper flakes in the garden plot, having heard that this was an effective thieving squirrel deterrent.

The Evidence Didn’t Add Up
What I neglected to mention is that the pepper tops were left, lying forlornly, beside their stems. Would not a squirrel, hormones running rampant, have carried the tops off, instead of leaving the withering leaves, to die a horrible wilting death? Or, like red pepper flakes, did they not like red pepper plants either? So many questions.

Suspect #2
I, therefore, turned my powers of deduction to another suspect. Mini the Mooch, my own cat, had been observed trying to enter said garden patch, on a previous occasion. As to her behaviour, though more than 14 years old, I observed on many occasions, that she still chased her own tail. What self-respecting, aging feline would do this? Perhaps she too was menopausal. Were raging hormones affecting her judgement, causing her to run amok?

Could this garden rampaging have been an inside job? I felt betrayed! Not wanting to believe the garden marauder was my own beloved feline, I hoped it was the bruiser cat that had just moved in next door.

As I pondered the evidence, while sipping my morning Java, I noticed Mini the Mooch making a b-line for the vegetable patch. I guess the thought of that, oh so pristine, lovely to dig and use as a potty earth, was too much of a temptation.

Justice in the Garden
But the Java hadn’t kicked in. I wasn’t quick enough! Before I knew it, she’d slinked through the cheap wire garden fencing (got it on sale at Canadian Tire).

“Stop!” I yelled. She stood there, frozen, caught red pawed in the act. Trembling with fear, her paw raised to dig out a fledgling zucchini, I felt a moment of remorse. She is, after all, my own cat.

The regret lasted only a moment. Justice had to be done. So I bolted to the garden plot, housecoat flying, waving my arms, screaming “Get outta’ there!” Her panic did not last for long. Realizing it was just me, with that look of distain only a cat can give, she nonchalantly exited the veggie patch, with nary a look back.

Nonetheless, I still suspect she has a squirrelly accomplice. To keep them both at bay I am now off to buy some chicken wire to place over my garden patch.

PS - I wanted to have the theme from Dragnet playing, but can't figure out how to embed on Blogger. If so inclined you can listen here: http://www.gotwavs.com/0085412111/WAVS/Movies/Dragnet/dum.wav

For more about keeping cats and squirrels out of your garden go here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5051686_keep-out-houseplants-garden-beds.html

http://www.canada.com/life/pets/Many+ways+keep+cats+gardens/1560321/story.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_172122_keep-squirrels-garden.html

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!