Fenugreek

Fabaceae
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants. It is an annual herb of the bean family and is widely grown throughout the Middle East and Asia. Fenugreek has traditionally been grown for use as fodder, human food, cloth dye. Fenugreek has also been used medicinally as a laxative, expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic.

Fenugreek should be seeded in early May into a light well drained soil that is in a sunny location. Fertilizer requirements are similar to field peas. Weed control is achieved by mechanical methods and a weed free seedbed as no herbicides are currently registered for use on fenugreek. This crop has great potential as an alternative crop on the prairies because it is well adapted to this climate. However, further market development is needed before fenugreek can be grown commercially. The main market for fenugreek is as a spice, in health food stores and in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently the market is well established and stable with Asia being the major supplier.

Fenugreek pods	Fenugreek
Fenugreek forage	Fenugreek forage