Fennel 'Anise Latina' (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum), offered by the seed company Weston Seeds
🌿 A vegetable and an aromatic herb in one plant! 🌿
Anise Latina Fennel is an heirloom variety known for its large, crisp white bulbs , wide, tender stems, and delicately cut, carrot-like foliage . This aromatic plant grows to an impressive 2.5 feet (75 cm) tall and offers a sweet, aniseed flavor that is perfect for fresh salads, stews, or poultry and fish recipes.
💡 What can we consume in fennel?
The bulb is the most commonly used part. Raw, it can be thinly sliced for a crunchy and refreshing touch in salads. Cooked, it becomes tender and develops a subtle sweetness that enhances soups, gratins and stews.
The stems , often forgotten, are perfect for flavoring broths and sauces.
The foliage , similar to dill, is ideal for flavoring fish dishes, salads or even being infused into digestive herbal tea.
The seeds , harvested at the end of the season, are used as a spice for breads, herbal teas and various traditional dishes.
Features :
Days to maturity: 75-90 days
Bulb size: 3 to 5 inches in diameter
Height: 24-30 inches
Spacing between plants: 10-12 inches
Exposure: Full sun
Sowing: Indoor/direct sowing
Cultivation method:
Fennel Anise Latina thrives in light, loose, well-fertilized soil in full sun. Sow directly into the ground in mid to late May , once all risk of frost has passed. Plant seeds 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep , spacing them 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Once seedlings are established, thin to allow 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) between each plant.
For a faster start , start seedlings indoors 8 weeks before the last frost . Use a light soilless potting mix and maintain a temperature of 70°F (21°C) to promote germination in 10 to 14 days . Transplant outdoors after acclimatization, once frost has passed.
How to properly prepare fennel?
Cut off the base of the bulb, removing the outer leaves if they are tough. Slice thinly for raw consumption or cut into quarters for gentle cooking. The stems can be chopped and flavored in broths and sauces, while the fresh leaves are used as an aromatic herb.
🌿 Why grow Anise Latina fennel?
🥗 A versatile vegetable, delicious raw or cooked
🌸 Elegant foliage that beautifies the vegetable garden
🐝 Attracts pollinators and balances the garden ecosystem
🌱 A complete plant: bulb, stems, leaves and edible seeds!
Add a refined, aniseed touch to your cooking with this exceptional fennel!
