Fenugreek: cultivation, harvest and uses

The plant is deliberately cultivated in many countries and sold as a medicinal product. We reveal how you can grow fenugreek in your own garden.

The potency of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has not broken for thousands of years. The medicinal plant was already widely used in ancient times and fenugreek is also indispensable in Ayurveda cuisine. The tasty spice also enjoys widespread popularity under the name cow's horn clover and its characteristic scent earned it the title Greek hay. Fenugreek combines an incredible number of positive properties: the nutty note of the seeds turns many a well-known dish into a new taste experience. The tasty leaves, on the other hand, provide fresh greens and can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. And the cultivation of the health-promoting plant is anything but difficult. Let yourself be surprised by the powers of the ancient medicinal plant.

Fenugreek: properties and origin

The relationship to other clover species can be seen immediately in fenugreek. And so this plant is one of them legumes (Faboideae). Unlike the other species, fenugreek gives off an intense coumarin smell, very similar to that of dried hay. The plant is an annual and is supplied with water and nutrients via its strong taproot. It can reach heights of up to 60 centimetres. Between April and July, the delicate yellow to slightly bluish butterfly blossoms appear in the leaf axils, attracting numerous bumblebees and bees. You can also recognize the plant by the triangular leaf shape, which gives the species its scientific name Trigonella owes.

The origin of the plant is probably somewhere in western Asia and the Mediterranean region, where the wild form still occurs today. From there, fenugreek spread, because it enjoyed great popularity among people well into the Middle Ages. Today, its distribution area therefore extends over the entire American continent to China and from North Africa to France and Greece. Clover was once cultivated on a large scale even in Germany. For this reason, you can still find wild fenugreek from time to time on closer inspection, especially in southern Germany.

The best fenugreek varieties

Fenugreek can be divided into two subspecies. First, there is the wild form gladiata. It is particularly widespread in the Mediterranean region and stands out due to its strong hairiness. The second subspecies, on the other hand, is completely smooth and hairless culta. It is probably a purely cultivated form and probably descends from the hairy wild form.

Buying fenugreek: This is important to note

If you only want to buy the seeds as a spice, you should make sure that they are packed airtight. This is the only way to keep the aroma for a longer period of time. For the production of sprouts you should buy seeds of organic quality. This is the only way to prevent the seeds from being treated with harmful pesticides. If, on the other hand, you only want to harvest the plants at a later stage, you can also use conventionally produced seeds if you wish.

Grow fenugreek

Growing fenugreek is fairly simple. The fact that the plant also occurs wild in Germany shows its adaptation to local conditions. Fertilization is not usually necessary and watering is only necessary in very dry summers. However, since the plant is only an annual, it is sown annually.

When to plant fenugreek?

Since fenugreek is an annual, you will need to reseed it every year. Sowing should be sometime between April and early June and should be done directly outdoors. You do not need to prick out the plants afterwards.

The perfect location for fenugreek

Fenugreek comes from a more Mediterranean climate, so it needs some sunlight. It doesn't have to be the blazing sun, but the plant shouldn't be planted in too much shade either. The perfect soil is clayey, but still permeable to water. Fenugreek tolerates dry locations and even gets along well in salty soil.

Procedure for growing fenugreek

Since sowing takes place directly in the bed, the planting distance is already important. Since fenugreek grows quite large and herbaceous, a distance of about 20 centimeters between the plants is advisable. After germination, the seedlings should not be moved. Fenugreek is a dark germ. Therefore, you should place the seeds about an inch deep in the soil and then cover them with soil again. Since fenugreek prefers dry conditions to wet conditions, you should keep the seed moist until germination, but not too wet.

Caring for fenugreek: the right fertilizing and watering

As a representative of the legumes (Faboideae) the fenugreek lives in symbiosis with so-called nodule bacteria (also called rhizobia). These bacteria bind nitrogen from the air and make it available to the clover through conversion. In return, this supplies the bacteria with sugar, which it obtains from photosynthesis. For this reason, fenugreek should not be fertilized with nitrogen. What is important, however, is an adequate supply of iron, molybdenum and sulfur, as these nutrients are of great importance for cooperation. Good garden soil usually contains enough of these nutrients, so you don't really need to fertilize. Also make sure before sowing no manure or compost put into the ground.

Tip: You can also easily discover how plants and bacteria work together. To do this, dig up a plant and examine the roots for small thick nodules. These nodules house the bacteria.

In terms of watering, fenugreek is also not very demanding. It is important that it never stands in backwater. Conditions should therefore be on the dry side, as fenugreek tolerates a little too much drought rather than too much water. However, if the leaves begin to become limp, you should urgently reach for the watering can.

Harvesting and storing fenugreek

In this country, the use of the seeds is mainly known. These ripen between July and September. When the pods have dried and started to burst, it's time to harvest the seeds. As a precaution, after harvesting, you should carefully dry the seeds before you pack them airtight. In a cool and preferably dark place, the seeds will keep their full aroma for about a year. The fenugreek herb is harvested beforehand. It tastes best early in the year when the herb is still young and fresh. Then you can either use it directly in the kitchen, or dry and store airtight, just like the seeds.

Fenugreek: effect and application

You have probably enjoyed fenugreek more often than you thought without realizing it. Because the seeds of the versatile plant are an important part of curry mixtures. The addition of fenugreek is also becoming increasingly popular in cheese. No wonder, because the list of health-promoting effects of the plant is so long that it seems downright confusing. For this reason we have summarized some applications for you:

• In meals as seasoning or ingredient (fresh or roasted seeds, as well as leafy greens): Fenugreek can be used in many ways in the kitchen. This has a variety of positive effects on health, such as lowering blood sugar levels or stimulating the digestive tract. Last but not least, fenugreek is also very interesting for athletes, as it affects the testosterone balance and thus promotes muscle growth. And even the potency is said to increase fenugreek.
• as tea against chronic coughs and as a boost after illness and to calm the nerves: scalding Add a serving of fenugreek seeds to hot water and enjoy up to three cups Every day. Attention: Plants also have strong effects. Therefore, do not use these in higher doses for more than six weeks, but alternate with other plants or take breaks in use.
• Ground Seeds in coconut oil against hair loss and for clear skin: to prevent hair loss, hair growth promote or maintain a clear complexion, you can infuse ground fenugreek seeds in coconut oil permit. The oil is then massaged into the (scalp) skin and left there for half an hour. Repeated every two to three days, after a few weeks new hair growth begins and the skin is cleansed. As a conditioner, fenugreek seeds ensure healthy hair and fight split ends and dandruff. To do this, pour hot water over the seeds and let it cool down before using it.

The countless effects of fenugreek, most of which have now even been scientifically proven, are of course due to the ingredients. The seeds of the medicinal plant contain about 30% mucilage. These substances are also contained in linseed, for example, and have a calming effect on irritated mucous membranes. This has a very positive effect on the digestive system. Furthermore, the seeds of fenugreek contain around 25% proteins. An active ingredient called foenugraecin contained in fenugreek is mainly responsible for the effect on the human hormone balance. This is a starting material for the formation of steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Apart from that, the seeds are rich in various important trace elements such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin A, which is good for eyesight, is also present in fenugreek seeds. The rich abundance of health-promoting ingredients therefore leads to a wide range of effects. However, side effects are not known. You should only avoid too much fenugreek in late pregnancy, as it can also have a birth-inducing effect. Excessive intake can also cause gastrointestinal problems. Repeated external use of fenugreek can cause redness and itching.

Fenugreek can be used in many ways in the kitchen. The seeds are suitable, for example, fresh as a spice for bread or cheese. If the taste of the fresh seeds is too intense for you, you can soften them a bit by roasting them. The plant is also widely used in Indian cuisine, for example in chapati or naan breads. The fresh herb is also used to refine savory pancakes. The fresh sprouts are also suitable as summer vegetables. Here is a guide on how to do it easily Grow your own sprouts be able.