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Monty planting florence fennel near bean
Jungle Jane
Posts: 21
in Fruit & veg
Re episode 16 of Gardeners World. I have been growing florence fennel for three years now. I have it isolated well away from other plants be they veg or ornamentals. I was under the impression that fennel is not a good companion for any plant, yet watching this episode of Gardeners World, Monty Don plonked some florence fennel in his veg patch next to his beans. Was this just for the camera or will florence fennel and the beans live in harmony? Comments from forum users or indeed Monty himself would be appreciated.
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I have never ever heard that Florence fennel needs to be grown in isolation. Perhaps you can explain the reason for this.
According to the usual companion planting charts I consult online, Fennel has no friends apart from dill but will then cross pollinate so the seeds are of no use for new crops.
On the other hand, it does attract all sorts of beneficial insects and I found caterpillars of the swallowtail butterfly on mine one year. It's strong perfume is also excellent for keeping fleas away apparently and there's an old saying about planting fennel next to your kennel to protect your dog.
Having said all that, I never grow runner or French beans so can't say how they will do but I grow fennel every year, usually near my lettuce crops and I haven't noticed any problems with the Cos or oak leaf lettuce.
sounds like rubbish to me. Another one of those gardening myths like not moving paeonies.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Many thanks to all who commented.
Below is info which is typical of what one will find when searching companion planting for fennel:
Companions Florence fennel is one vegetable that is pretty much allelopathic to all other plants – this means it exudes chemicals that suppress growth in neighbouring plants
I love fennel in every way, taste, smell and its good looks. I would love to plant it in certain borders just for the architectural impact, but I don't have the bottle to run the risk of it affecting other plants in my jungle garden e.g. canna lily, alocasia, colacasia, banana, bamboo, various ferns, fatsia japonica, ricinus. You get the picture. I also have an extensive vey plot. I may well test it in an area where I won't be too sad to loose anything.
Thank you all once again.
I agree completely with nutcutlet.
I grow the herb Fennel and it is close to my Gooseberries and I have not noticed that the Gooseberry bush next to the Fennel performs more poorly than the other Gooseberries which are further away..
Hi Jane, I am a rank amateur used to disappointment but there are some things I just wouldn't do mostly because I have stuff in my head from my dad and his dad. I don't know why I don't do these things
but I don't.
I would not plant fennel within 2 feet of any kind of bean, tomatoes or carrots. I would plant them near peas or with 'mediterranean' herbs. I too was surprised at Monty, as Verdun says lets see what happens. Often read or hear stuff offered scientifically and think "Yeah, that's what my dad said" as I am sure many of us do.
I've never ever had a problem growing fennel near other plants.
In this garden I've grown it near runner beans, broad beans and french beans, tomatoes, lettuce and Swiss chard with no ill effects.
Last edited: 22 July 2016 11:15:26
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.