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Growing Fennel, also Bronze fennel

(foeniculum vulgare)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		S	T	P

(Best months for planting Fennel in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: Thin to 12 inches
Harvest in 14-15 weeks.
Compatible with: Best grown away from vegetables

Bronze fennel

A tall plant with feathery looking leaves. The whole plant has an aniseed flavour, including the seeds. Choose a place in the garden where it can self seed without causing too much trouble and there will be seedlings every year.

Needs staking to protect the seed heads. Can grow to 1.5m (5 ft). Keep watered, otherwise the leaves dry off.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Fennel

Cut off leaves as required Use leaves fresh or dried . Particularly good with fish.
The seeds can be used in pickling mixes.

Your comments and tips

09 Nov 12, John Hunt (Australia - temperate climate): Is it OK to plant fennel out of full sun. I have a spot which gets about 4 hours a day? Thanks JH
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02 Jul 12, Pixie (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Ive had no luck growing a fennel bulb, I only get beautiful leaves and seeds, it's the yummy bulb I'm after. What should I be purchasing to grow fennel bulbs? Thank you
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01 Sep 12, Alexis (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Pixie - the bulb grows on Florence fennel, whereas wild fennel will just give you leaves and seeds.
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26 Jun 12, Rob Watts (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Fennel leaves which are young and soft make an excellent tasting and aromatic addition to any mixed salad - chop finely and mix with what ever else you have fresh. A great addition for 12 months of the year in Brisbane!
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17 Nov 11, Graeme (Australia - arid climate): You will find fennel seeds in your pantry cupboard. And cumin seeds. And a lot of other things you use everyday for cooking. Just plant them and water them!
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05 Oct 11, Glenda (Australia - temperate climate): I have planted fennel for the first time. Can you tell me when it is ready for picking?
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17 Sep 11, sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I have had my fennel planted in the bath tub for several months now and haven't had anything good to eat,the ladt from bunnings told me to keep one plant so I can get seeds from it but do u trim the stalk or let that keep growing as well.
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18 Dec 10, Mike Windows (Australia - temperate climate): Just read about fennel which I have recently grown (from a potted plant) and enjoyed eating. Surprised that under "culinary" you don't mention baking, steaming or raw in salads or with fish. However, what your site doesn't tell me is what to do once you have harvested the bulbs. I cut the plant right back and it has regrown, shooting up tall ungainly stems that look weird (almost as if bulbs are trying to grow on the stems) and then the stem divides. The base doesn't look like promising bulbs. Can you help? I'm in metro Adelaide. Thanks.
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05 Nov 09, Baboon (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Eden seeds have fennel for sale www.edenseeds.com.au.
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07 Sep 09, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What supplier sells fennel seed for growing in garden? Regards Alan.
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You will find fennel seeds in your pantry cupboard. And cumin seeds. And a lot of other things you use everyday for cooking. Just plant them and water them!

- Graeme

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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