Fenugreek

Tamil Name: Vendhayam, Methi; Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum;

Beginner Level

B G I T V W

Planting/Sowing

Jun – Jul; Oct – Nov;

Harvesting

Jul – Aug; Nov – Dec;

First Harvest

~30 Days

General Info

Crop category	Herb, Greens, Spice
Life span	Annual
Type of crop	Herb
Part(s) of the crop to harvest	Leaves, Seeds, Microgreen
Avg. Height	Less than 1 metre (3 feet)

Climate & Humidity

Fenugreek is best grown in warm and hot climate. Suitable for tropical and temperate regions.

Planting / Sowing

When to plant / sow seeds (ideal season):
First fortnight of October and second fortnight of June to July;

How to plant:
Direct sowing: Fill container with 2/3 potting mix and 1/3 compost. Sprinkle seeds in the pot and add a thin 1/4-inch layer of soil to cover. Thin to 1-2 inches of space between seedlings.

NOTE: Please refer to the How to Grow Greens and How to Grow Microgreens sections as Fenugreek makes an excellent microgreen.

Soil Depth & Spacing Requirements

Fenugreek is a shallow rooted plant; In container growing, use a wide planter around 6-8 inches deep with good drainage; seed sowing at 30 cm apart; planting space of 10 cm; depth 1/4 inch, not more than 5.0 cm; flatbeds with convenient size recommended for sowing.

NOTE: Please go through the Guides in the Knowledge Base for more details on topics ranging from Spacing & Lighting to Soil and Nutrients.

Irrigation

First irrigation is given immediately after sowing and subsequent irrigation is applied at 7 to 10 days interval.

NOTE: Irrigation should depend on how moist / wet the soil is. Check your plants everyday to see if they require irrigation or not. Check the Watering & Irrigation guide for more info.

Pruning

Prune if you are not harvesting seeds and plant to harvest leaves. Pinch off the top third of mature stems periodically to encourage lush, branching growth and to prevent it from setting seed.

Harvesting

When to harvest
Leaves can be harvested 20-30 days after sowing; Plan to collect seeds 3-5 months after planting, once the plant has finished flowering, died back, and begun to turn yellow.

How to harvest
Young shoots are nipped off 4 to 5 cm above ground level and subsequent cuttings of leaves may be taken after 15 days. It is advisable to take 1 to 2 cuttings before the crop is allowed to flower and fruit. When pods are dried, the plants are pulled out, dried in the sun and seeds are threshed by beating with stick or by rubbing with hands. Seeds are sorted, cleaned and dried in the sun. They may be stored in gunny bags lined with paper.

NOTE: Harvest periods can vary depending on environmental, climatic, and soil conditions.

Pests & Diseases

Pests	Aphids
Common Diseases/ Problems	Root rot, Charcoal rot, Mildew
Pest and Disease prevention measure(s)	Neem oil or homemade insecticidal soap to combat infestations; planting in well drained and sufficiently warm soil will reduce the risk of root rot; apply neem oil to combat mildew; adequate thinning and weeding of plants, incorporating aged manure into beds prior to planting, mulching to maintain moisture, and regular watering during periods of dry weather will help keep stress to a minimum, and reduce the risk of Charcoal rot.

Did you know?

In 2005, the city of New York was pervaded by the smell of maple syrup, and residents feared that the sweet smell was a form of chemical warfare. The smell was finally traced to a Fenugreek processing plant. Fenugreek is used as a flavoring agent in imitation maple syrup because in low concentrations, that’s what it smells like!