Fennel can be grown as just a feathery herb plant and for its edible bulb. Fennel is a natural sweetener when grown in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Most gardeners prefer to plant fennel away from other vegetable cultivars; while no studies exist that prove fennel has negative affects with near planting, folk lore suggests that fennel should be planted at least 8 to 12 inches away from other cultivars Take cuttings from the top few inches of the fennel plant for Mediterranean and tomato dishes, soups, and to flavor confections.