BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

Sowalong: Fennel with Monty Don

Today on Sowalong, BBC Gardeners’ World’s Monty Don shares his favourite vegetable to grow from seed – Florence fennel. Bringing you his best advice and know-how, Monty makes mastering this tricky-to-grow, tasty veg bed addition, a breeze.   
Here to answer all of your fennel conundrums, Monty covers everything from spotting peak harvesting times, to watering regimes and tricks for a good crop. Monty also offers his tips on when to sow fennel, as well as pricking out seedlings, potting on and planting out. 
Plus, Monty explains why the intense flavour of homegrown fennel in the kitchen is unbeatable. Whether raw in a salad, sliced up with tomatoes and avocado, or halved and roasted in a baking dish with a dash of white wine, thyme and lemon juice. A pure taste of summer. Listen on to learn why everyone should add Florence fennel to their vegetable line-up, now. 
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Discover gardening inspiration and advice from your favourite gardening experts with the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team. Join Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh, Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson and others to garden for wildlife and wellness, sow and grow flourishing flowers, immerse in the benefits of nature, get the most from your vegetable plot, successfully use colour in the garden, enjoy the beauty of house plants and much, much more. With Sowalongs and Tea Break Tutorials too, we have your gardening needs covered.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or beginning your growing journey, step into the garden with us throughout the year for an enjoyable and informative garden-getaway in every episode.

Additionally, you can find advice, chat and information for allotment growing, grow your own flowers, outdoor living, garden design, organic and sustainable ways to tackle pests and solve problems, growing from seed, caring for plants, looking after roses, pruning tips, thrifty/money saving ideas, plant-based eating, preserving and pickling, spending time in nature, winter evergreens, greenhouse knowhow, favourite garden plants, container planting, raised beds, marking a garden look good year round, small garden and tiny spaces, patio gardening, window boxes, supporting urban birds and wildlife, lawn care, hedgerow help, green roofs, biodiversity, benefits of trees, compost and soil health, rewilding, window boxes, gardening with changing weather, gardening for climate resilience, gardens of the year, professional tips from head gardeners, balcony gardening, healthy plants, British woodlands, tasty crops, productive veg, gardening on a budget, forest school, gardening with children, spring plants, plants for shade, splendid summer colour, shed essentials, great British gardens, must-grow veg, pollinators, harvesting, summer flowers, wildflowers, wildflower meadows, eating homegrown food, gardening for mental health and wellbeing, gardening for health and fitness, hospital gardens, gardens for healing, green spaces for reflection, plants and trees to aid poor air pollution, taking cuttings, propagating, pruning, plants for free, succeeding with roses, growing soft fruit, tackling weeds organically, growing herbs, planting shrubs, taking hardwood cuttings, caring for houseplants, plants for all seasons, trees for spring blossom, fruit trees, climbing roses, flowering shrubs, coastal gardens, making a show garden, behind the scenes at Chelsea, gardening for time-poor gardeners, allotment life, decoding nature’s secrets, companion planting, the healing ppwer of gardens, gardening with trees, gardening with cancer, downsizing a garden, making a new garden, battling slugs and snails, no mow May, spring bulbs, growing sweet peas, sunflowers, cosmos, nasturtiums, tomatoes, beetroot, dahlias, foxgloves, carrots, parsley, onions, shallots, garlic, cucumbers, chillies, potatoes, beans, French beans and runner beans, cabbage, kale, broccoli, pumpkins, squash, courgettes, spinach, chard, leafy veg, parsnips, strawflowers, Verbascum, basil, echium, rocket, zinnia, camellia, tasty soft fruit, successful wisteria, superfoods, tropical gardens, community gardens, Great Dixter, Knepp.

With James Alexander Sinclair, Nick Bailey, Errol Reuben Fernandes, Terry Walton, Rachel de Thame, David Hurrion, Sheila Das, Caroline Quentin, Deliciously Ella, Tristan Gooley, Plant Kween, Nancy Birtwhistle, Matt Biggs, Tom Allen, Ashely Edwards, Joe Lycett, Spicy Moustache, Patrick Gale, Georgina Yates, Griff Rhys Jones, Kate Bradbury, Rekha Mistry, Rich Heathcote, Marchelle Farrell, Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Advolly Richmond, Fergus Garrett, Alistair Griffiths, David Hedges-Gower, John Little, Cel Robertson, Ken Thompson, Charlie Harper, Suzi Turner, Moly Fierheller, Rukmini Iyer, Jamie Johnson, Ingrid Chiu, Ray Mears, Sarah Gerrard-Jones, Jason Williams, Sue Kent, Tom Brown, Sarah Price, Liz Schofield, Kevin Smith, Cat Mansley, Adam Duxbury, Emma Crawforth.