Blue Fenugreek [Trigonella caerulea]

The annual blue Fenugreek is a fast-growing, historical spice and medicinal plant that is used to make cheese and bread. As a medicinal plant, it stimulates the appetite and digestion and has blood-building and blood sugar-lowering properties. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the flowers, seeds and leaves.

 Description 
The blue Fenugreek is an old annual spice and medicinal plant that originated in Asia Minor. Even today, the almost forgotten plant is traditionally used in the Alpine region to make cheese and bread. In medicine, it stimulates the appetite and digestion and has blood-building and blood sugar-lowering properties. The robust plant forms egg-shaped to elongated, pointed leaves and has an inimitably strong taste. The dried herb develops its typical aroma due to the numerous essential oils. The flowers have a strong scent and are sky blue in color. The vigorous plant is easy to grow and can be harvested after just 2-3 months. Due to its sensitivity to cold, the heat-loving plant should be grown in spring or summer.

 General information 
Plant family: Fabaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to 0°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, sandy loam soil

pH value: 6 to 8

 Sowing and planting information 
Germ type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-1,5 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, berry bushes
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to September is recommended. The plants are best placed in a sunny to partially shaded location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from May to June is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing in rows is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing. Prefers well-drained, nutrient-poor, neutral to calcareous sandy loam soils and requires relatively dry conditions.
Blue Fenugreek does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Blue fenugreek is ideal for companion planting and a natural source of nitrogen for the soil, as it fixes nitrogen in symbiosis with nodule bacteria. As long as the plant receives sufficient water, it is heat tolerant. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
No care or fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Trigonella caerulea
English names: Blue Fenugreek
German names: Schabzigerklee, Bisamklee, blauer Honigklee, blauer Steinklee, Brotklee, Hexenkraut, Käseklee, Zigainergraut, Zigerchrut, Zigerklee, Zigerkraut
Portuguese names: Feno-grego azul
Spanish names: Alholva azul, Fenogreco azul
French names: Fenugrec bleu

 Origin 
Multiplier: Benjis seeds
Country: Portugal