Blue Fenugreek [Trigonella caerulea]

The Schabzigerklee is an old annual spice and medicinal plant that has its origins in Asia Minor. Even today, the almost forgotten plant is still traditionally used in the Alpine region to make cheese and bread. The robust plant forms egg-shaped to elongated, tapered leaves and has an inimitably strong taste that is somewhat reminiscent of curry. The flowers have a strong scent and are sky blue in color. The strong-growing 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 Root
Nutrient requirements: Weak Eaters
Water Requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to 0 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Floor: Permeable, dry, loamy, sandy, humic, calcareous

PH: 6 to 7.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ Type: Dark germ
Seed Depth: 1-1.5 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Planting, row spacing: 30x30 cm

Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from April to September. We recommend pre-culture in small pots from March to September.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from May. We recommend pre-culture in small pots from April to June.

General
Sow outdoors in rows. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible clover leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Schabzigerklee prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, permeable, humus-rich, calcareous and loamy soil. Prepare the soil for the herb with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
Spread occurs via seeds.

Care Plants
Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

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