Fennel and cape gooseberry

[MrsCordial]

Hello. My mother has given me these:



The fennel: should I just put the roots in the ground as they are now, or look after them til spring and plant them then?

Physallis: Same question about timing, and then do I bung the little orange bit in the ground as it is, or do I go in with a knife to extract seeds?

Thank you.

(and yes, those are green toms in the background! Have just made chutney and have one lot set aside for jam, another for cake, and a whole bowl-ful ripening on the tumble dryer!)

[veggiechicken]

I'd bung the fennel in the ground now and let the Physalis fruit dry out a bit. Then open it up and take the seeds out and dry those off. There'll be lots Sow them about the time you'd sow tomatoes, in pots undercover.

[MrsCordial]

Thanks VC