Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Fenugreek is a bold and aromatic herb that is common in Indian cuisine but dates back to ancient Egypt where it was used for medicine, a as a spice, as cattle fodder or even as a dye. The leaves of this plant are like lettuce but have a bitter and nutty taste, while the seeds are used as a spice and when ground are a common ingredient in curry powder. When the Fenugreek seeds are cooked, the warm fragrant flavor is sweet and bold and can be compared to brown sugar. This plant is fast-maturing and low maintenance, making it a wonderfully unique addition to herb gardeners of all skill levels.
NAME: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
VARIETY: Common
DAYS TO MATURITY: 25 – 35 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 5 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile, loam soil with a pH 6.2 – 6.9
PLANT HEIGHT: 16 – 24 inches
SPACING: 6 – 8 inches apart
TEMP: 50 – 90ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
It is not recommended to start Fenugreek seeds indoors due to the plant’s preference for direct sowing.
If you choose to start seeds indoors fill biodegradable pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix.
Plant fenugreek seeds about ¼ inch deep in the soil and lightly cover them.
Keep the soil consistently moist and place the pots in a sunny location or under grow lights.
Germination typically occurs within 7-10 days.
Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted outdoors.
Start seeds outdoors 1 week after your last local frost.
Sow 1 seed 1/4 inch deep spaced 1 inch apart in rows that are spaced 4 inches apart.
Water the seeds in well and maintain moisture; germination should occur in 5 to 10 days.
Once seedlings emerge, thin them so they are spaced 2 inches apart.
Prepare a garden bed that receives 6 hours of sunlight a day by removing any rocks, debris or weeds and adding ample compost.
You can also choose to grow fenugreek in pots for its entire life rather than stationary beds.
Fenugreek will be ready to harvest in about 30 days.
To harvest the leaves, cut the entire plant 3 inches from the ground, or trim leaves individually for smaller applications.
To harvest the seeds, you must wait for the seed pods to turn yellow but pick them before they burst open.
To get a continuous harvest throughout the season, plant new seeds every 3 weeks.
