Growing Florence Fennel in Allotment Garden

Growing Florence Fennel in allotment garden is an easy project for the enthusiast with a keen sense of gardening. The plant can be found in Italy and has been around since the 16th century. It was used during that time for a variety of medicinal purposes. Known as “Fennel or Pell” the plant grows well in areas where the soil is not too rich. The plant itself comes in many different forms. Each variety comes from a different type of root structure. For this reason, all varieties are hardy in most areas and very easy to grow. As a matter of fact, it is one of the easiest perennial plants. The other good thing about the plant is that it can survive even during droughts. The leaves are also edible.

1. Prepare the Soil

When growing Florence Fennel in allotment garden, it is best that you prepare the soil first. It should be made slightly moist but not moist enough to completely drown the plant. After the soil is prepared, make sure that you water the plant daily. It will also help if you mulch the plant. Doing so will keep the leaves cool and allow better photosynthesis.

2. Direct Sunlight

Like other perennials, growing Florence Fennel in allotment garden prefers full sunlight. In fact, you should never allow it to go without any direct sunlight at all. Make sure that you plant it near trees, which should be several feet away. Direct sunlight can cause the plant to burn. You could use umbrellas or other devices to provide adequate lighting for the plant.

3. Avoid Overwatering

In terms of water, the amount you give the plant should double that of what you would normally give. However, do not overdo it. Overwatering is not good for the plant and could result in plant death. The leaves can become dry and yellow. Just check with a hydroponic store or your local gardening supply store to determine what the correct amount of water is.

4.Digging

Digging is necessary for growing Florence Fennel in allotment garden in order to allow the roots of the plants to spread out. Even though this may seem like something that you need to be told to do, it is actually quite simple. All you have to do is make sure that your soil is packed full of nutrients so that the plant has plenty of what it needs to grow. This means using topsoil that is rich in nutrients. Topsoil is usually sold at garden centers as well as at some farms.

5. Fertilizing the Plant

To assure good growth, you need to fertilize the plant each month. You can either use one-half cup of fertilizer per square foot of garden space or a tablespoon of fertilizer per 5-inch pot. You should know how much you will need to fertilize before you begin growing Fennel. When the flowers begin to bloom, this will determine when you need to water. It is advised that you water them after the flowers bloomed out because they will need more water then.

6. Moisture and Humidity

Although they can handle a lot of moisture, they do not do well in areas of high humidity. If your garden is in a moist, shady spot, you might consider using a humidifier for your plants. This will help with keeping the humidity levels in your garden down. However, if you live in a very hot, sunny place you will need to be extra careful with your plants.

7. Remove Decaying Matter

One of the things you should remember is that you need to remove any decaying matter on your plants before you plant them. This will keep the roots from becoming so saturated that they die. After you have removed the decaying matter, you need to press it gently back into the soil. Failing to press it back causes the roots to go directly into the dirt which stunts their growth.

8. Mulch

You should also mulch your plant. Mulch keeps the soil moist and cool. Doing so will also protect the plant from getting too much sun, which can damage it. It also keeps weeds from growing, which is beneficial for the entire garden. You can mulch all throughout the season, but you should do it before planting, just to give the soil a chance to absorb the extra moisture.

9. Conclusion

If you are going to use seeds you should know that they will need to be planted about a foot deep. If you are looking to fill an area of your garden then you will need to plant them deeper. For best results, you will want to plant them in peat moss. In fact, if you plan to use seeds you should be sure to use peat moss because it is the most appropriate and useful for seedlings.