advice on fennel

[jane E]

This is the first year I've sown florence fennel. It's done very well and the bulbs are developping nicely. When do I dig it? How big do they have to be?

[John]

Hello Jane
A couple of points. Keep them well watered because if they suffer a dry spell they are much more likely to run to seed. Also try to draw some earth up around the developing bulbs to protect them and blanch them to give a nice white bulb.

John

[Garlic_Guy]

When do I dig it? How big do they have to be?

Be guided by the size of fennel in the shops: once they are 3-4 inches wide they will be fine. If you leave them much longer after that (eg. esp if you have too many to pick when they're ready) you will find them going quite woody inside.

As well as raw in salads, I quite like them braised in the oven for an hour (eg. with some onion and a little stock).

[jane E]

Thanks. That's something to be going on. They're about 2" now.

[John]

Hello again Jane
I've frozen surplus fennel in the past and they are excellent for adding flavour to things like pot roasts and stews - too soft, when thawed, for braising though.

John