Guide to growing Fenugreek - Trigonella

Trigonella is a genus of half hardy annual herbs that reach from 30 to 60cm in height.

They have clover shaped foliage and bloom from the middle of summer through to autumn with small pea like flowers.

If growing for culinary use then seed pods should be cut off the plant once they have ripened; allow the Trigonella seed pods to dry in the sun, then remove the seeds and store in a dry and airtight container.

Some of the common names fro Trigonella include Fenugreek, Greek hay and Bird's Foot.

How to grow Fenugreek

It is best to sow Fenugreek seeds outdoors in the herb garden. Sow them at about 6mm deep into a warm soil in the middle of spring. It should only take a couple of days for the seeds to germinate; if germinating Fenugreek indoors then give them a temperature of about 20 to 25 degrees centigrade.

Ideally Fenugreek (Trigonella) should be spaced at about 10cm apart and grown in an area that has lots of sun and a well drained soil that is rich and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6 to 7).

Caring for Fenugreek

Trigonella plants such as Fenugreek and Greek hay take little looking after, give them a splash of water if soil becomes dry. If you require more Trigonella plants then it is best to grow from seeds.