Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a remarkable herb that has been cherished for centuries for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatic properties. This annual plant, known for its trifoliate leaves and tiny golden seeds, is incredibly versatile and easy to grow. Its leaves are a flavorful addition to dishes, offering a slightly bitter, nutty taste, while its seeds are prized for their use in spice blends and teas. Whether used fresh or dried, fenugreek adds a rich, savory depth to curries, breads, and soups, making it a favorite in kitchens worldwide. Fenugreek is not just a culinary gem but also a natural wellness booster, known for its health benefits, such as supporting digestion, regulating blood sugar levels, and promoting healthy hair and skin. It’s a fantastic choice for gardeners who love dual-purpose plants, as it provides both edible greens and seeds.It is excellent as a dry-region crop. Its fresh and dried seeds, leaves, twigs, and roots are common ingredients in Indian dishes as a spice, flavoring agent, and garnish. Fenugreek leaves are also rich in dietary fiber and iron.

Also Known As: Methi, Kasuri Methi, Sumedra, Greek Hayseed, Bird's Foot, Goat's Horn, Trigonella, Fenigreek, Hilbeh, Shanbalileh, Alholva, and Hu Lu Ba.

Plant Name:	Fenugreek, Methi
Latin Name:	Trigonella foenum-graecum
Days to Germinate:	3-7
Days to Harvest:	25
Plant Height:	12 - 18 Inches
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 6 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. If planting in a garden bed, carrots can be planted more densely, at a rate of 16 plants per square foot.

Planting:

Fenugreek grows well in warm and hot climate, when temperatures range from 50-90 F. Fenugreek is best planted in early spring, after the last frost, when the soil has warmed to about 60F. You can direct sow Fenugreek seeds outdoors or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest. For fall crops, direct sow seeds anytime between spring to mid fall. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 4 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	4 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	6-12 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Fenugreek is typically ready to harvest in 3-4 months after planting when the leaves and seeds have fully developed. To harvest, wait until the seeds in the pods have turned golden-brown and dry, indicating they are mature. For leaf harvest, you can pick young leaves throughout the growing season, but for seed harvest, wait until the plants have dried out. Cut the plants at the base and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area to finish drying. Once dry, shake the pods to release the seeds, and store them in an airtight container for use.