Fennel - growing in the country

Fennel is a long-time member of the Umbrella family. Wild plants are found in the Crimea, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. It is brought to the flora of both the Americas, China, and Japan. Vegetable fennel growing is widespread in many countries of Europe, Asia and the Americas. Cultivate it as a medicinal, vegetable and spicy plant.

Fennel. Botanical characteristics

Appearance of fennel is very similar to dill, but has a different structure of fruits and a more refined (reminiscent of an anise) smell. The height of the plant does not rarely reach two meters. Fennel has a rounded, erect, strongly branching up stem. Smooth alternate leaves. Blooms all summer months. Yellow small flowers are collected in simple umbrellas, which are collected in a flat complex umbrella 15-20 cm in diameter. Oblong grayish-green dvuhsemyanki with a pleasant anise flavor and there are fruits of fennel.

Fennel

Cultivation from seeds is the main way, but it is possible to propagate it and by dividing the adult plant into several parts. Properly selected seeds for seeding - a pledge of successful fennel growing. In specialized stores, two kinds of fennel are available: ordinary (fennel) and vegetable (Italian). What is their difference? Ordinary will enjoy fragrant greens and medicinal seeds. With the skillful cultivation of the Italian variety, you get a harvest of snow-white dense cobs.

Fennel. Cultivation

Seeds are sown in the soil under winter or early spring to a depth of 2 cm. The distance between the rows is 50 cm. According to the advice of experienced gardeners, the bed should be after the root crops and prepared in advance in such a way:

• At 1 square. M soil make 1 bucket of humus, 200 g of lime, 2 liter cans of dead sawdust. At will (or persuasion) 2 tbsp. Spoons of superphosphate.
• If sowing is carried out in the spring, to maintain the moisture, the bed is kept under the film until May.

Seeds germinate 10-14 days after sowing, with an average daily temperature of 8 degrees Celsius.

After the appearance of amicable shoots (on the 5th-10th day), plants are necessarily thinned (1 stalk by 20 cm), since qualitative stems develop up to 10 cm in diameter. After this, it is necessary to fertilize the infusion of mullein.

Mullein Preparation

Initially, a working solution is prepared. 1/3 of the capacity is filled with cow dung, 2/3 is added with water and mixed well. To prepare mullein, the working solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10.

Fennel. Cultivation on the garden - tips for gardeners

In various literature it is recommended to repeatedly fennel. Cultivation by gardeners has shown other results. With frequent hilling, snow-white cobs are dirty, the earth remains between the cuttings. To avoid contamination of fennel need protection - about 20 cm in the form of a ring of two-liter plastic bottles. No matter how funny it sounds, but practice has shown the need for such "clothes". The ring is put on, slightly to the ground, on the plant before hilling. It is recommended to feed the mullein infusion twice during the growth period and regularly water the fennel. Cultivate it is not so difficult. And the result is the enjoyment of its greenery during the summer, and by the autumn beautiful white snow-capped cobs.