The Last Fennel

The first year on the plot I tried to grow fennel without any success - it was too hot... then not hot enough...then too dry...then too wet...the days were too long...the days were too short...Basically fennel's as fussy as anything and every single one I planted bolted - incidentally they do look really nice when they bolt and flower but that doesn't exactly win any points in the kitchen department. This year I started the seeds off in pots in late spring in the greenhouse and didn't plant them outside until after the longest day as they are very sensitive to the shortening days and will bolt if they are planted out too early. The weather was on my side with regard to watering and, if anything, they were too wet. I think the only problem was that the soil wasn't quite rich enough so the bulbs didn't end up as big as I'd have liked - the cool weather won't have done any favours in this respect either. Despite all these hurdles I did end up which I nice haul of fennel, the last of which I picked this week- small but perfectly formed and they taste fantastic.

Also in the picture is the last of the chicory which has been another success story this year and grown really well. It's an acquired taste because the leaves are very bitter but added to other lettuce in a salad it gives a real kick.