View the Florence Fennel page

12 Dec 17 Ilka Howell (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

What happens if you plant fennel with beans? I didn't know they shouldn't be grown together and have planted them in a large garden bed together. They are not right next to each other, have lettuce and radishes separating so approx 1m apart. Will they grow ok?

Reply

13 Dec 17 Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

From Houzz Fennel is allelopathic to most garden plants, inhibiting growth, causing to bolt, or actually killing many plants. Like black walnut or elder, it produces some chemical or other which does bad things to its neighbours. Although it causes coriander to bolt, the coriander does help to prevent fennel from becoming too much of a weed. It depends which one you want to sacrifice, I guess! It will cross-pollinate with dill, resulting in a horrible-tasting plant. I think fennel will be OK if grown in a pot, but you'll need to be vigilant to stop it from going to seed (a pity if you want those seeds!) - those seeds can travel far and wide, making it a very invasive plant indeed.

Reply

17 Jan 18 Ilka (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Very informative, thanks Mike! Sounds like the fennel will have to go :)

Reply