Growing Florence Fennel, also Finocchio

foeniculum vulgare dulce : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
        P              

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

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 6 inches
  • Harvest in 14-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce, Chicory, Cucumber, peas, sage
  • Avoid growing close to: Beans, tomatoes

Your comments and tips

02 May 13, April (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have heard fennel is a vegetable that doesnt do well as a companion to anything else but i see above there are a few has anyone had some luck with this? Also i want to plant out now but was hoping that the timing of them being ready be after mid august...should i hold off a bit?
30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - arid climate)
Seeds are available from several Australian heritage and organic seed suppliers. Diggers Club is closest to you. You can buy online...or take a quick trip across the Peninsula to Dromana - why not enjoy a day out at their gardens and cafe? I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you have too!
21 Apr 13, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I get seeds or seedlings I am in Hastings Vic ?
28 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings has the seeds and punnets of seedlings. Might be a bit late to get seeds going.
26 Aug 12, Morris Lemire (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Hello, I live in Edmonton. At our community garden, we are trying to grow Florence Fennel. The plant is healthy, with fronds a metre high, but it is not forming a bulb. The root is ten centimetres long. If we cover it to get over the early threat of frost, which is often a risk in early September, we may get warm and sunny days trough to October. Is there anything we can do encourage the plant to form a bulb? Thank you for taking our question. Morris
15 Jun 12, Diana (Australia - arid climate)
Did you have any luck finding the fennel seedlings? I live in SW NSW and have a couple of patches of fennel going wild and self seeding. I'm on a property and am experimenting with what I can grow that is easy care - and fennel is one of them (so long as the soil is kept mulched during seed germination time and early seedling stage). I don't water my gardens often so I don't get as good a bulb size than if I did water - but fennel doesn't mind the lack of watering once established.
12 May 12, Heather Houston (Australia - temperate climate)
We have just purchased a home with an old herb garden, I am sure that fennel is growing but it doesnt have the bulb - it has been left overgrown for years. What should I do pull it all out or persevere?
01 Jul 12, Melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Heather, I think I've heard that Bulb Fennel can have male or female plants for example some will fillout to a bulb and others will stay sort of flat. If thats not the case then its possible you actually have a Dill plant! I'd persever and see what you get and dry some of the fronds for kitchen use.
24 Feb 12, Corinne Cowper (Australia - temperate climate)
When your crop has finished what do you need to do to the soil to make it ready for your next crop? I understand about crop rotation but not sure when I should be adding fertiliser and compost.
17 Apr 13, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)
Late reply..but here goes.. all I do is a mix of compost or worm castings..maybe with a dash of seaweed solution or worm juice. Even a crop of peas just to help break up the soil a bit with a nitrogen fix.
Showing 31 - 40 of 60 comments

We have just purchased a home with an old herb garden, I am sure that fennel is growing but it doesnt have the bulb - it has been left overgrown for years. What should I do pull it all out or persevere?

- Heather Houston

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