The fennel survived the winter and is a cloud of softest, hazy foliage in the Square Foot Garden. I was admiring it when I spotted a contrasting strand of something black on the foliage.
Could it be? Yes! A swallowtail caterpillar snacking on the fronds. Not only one caterpillar was in the midst of the cloud of fennel, but over half a dozen. I’ve never noticed swallowtail caterpillars so early in the season. I am hoping that the density of the fennel will protect the caterpillars from predators.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
I thought I saw the fennel in one of your other photos with the painted cans
😉
And how sweet you are sheltering those babes
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I hope they will be safe. I don’t have any dill that is large enough to sustain them on the porch right now. That has worked for me in the past and I was able to save quite a few. I need to get those pots of dill growing this weekend.
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I think I am
Going to plant some!
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👍😊
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Saving the butterflies….Yea! and I love the fence in the background.
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It’s my neighbors…it adds a nice quality with its aged wood. I love rustic looks.
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The fennel is so pretty. I’ve always loved that. What a great find for you! 😀
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I wasn’t expecting them so early, so I’m really excited about the possibility of more butterflies than usual this summer.
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The fennel is so beautiful, what would you use the fronds for? Looks like you have had some fresh rain.
And the caterpillars- thank you for looking out for them- when you don’t have butterflies like I, you learn to appreciate and watch for caterpillars- though I would never have thought of keeping them safe from predators.
Susie
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Hi Susie, I don’t use the fronds so much, but instead use the seeds for some recipes. They also are a natural breath freshener. I know that some people use the bulb that forms at the bottom of the plant for eating. I grow it mainly because it is pretty and for those seeds I mentioned. It looks like a green cloud and I know it is one of the host plants for butterflies.
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I didn’t know it was a butterfly attractant. I am trying hard to attract butterflies to my garden- seems it is too hot even for butterflies.
The fennel seeds- we use in our cooking especially when we need to make masala- the spice mix for meat. It is given out as a natural mouth freshener in restaurants on the way out. Sometimes candied fennel is handed out as a dessert item for people who don’t want to order a sweet after food.
Do you harvest fennel seeds from these beautiful fronds or buy them at a shop?
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I usually am able to harvest them. I hope I have a good crop this year. Thanks Susie.
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Will you please post pictures of your fennel seeds on the plant when they ripen?
I wonder where our fennel comes from.
I have watched Ina Garten use fennel bulbs in soups- she says they have a liqourice-y flavour.
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I will do that Susie, it will be awhile though, they aren’t blooming yet, and it takes a while for the seed to develop. I found last year that they stayed on the plant for quite awhile before they dried. I am so glad the plant lived through the winter. It’s been a nice surprise.
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