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Growing Florence Fennel, also Finocchio

(foeniculum vulgare dulce)

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

(Best months for planting Florence 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 15 cm
  • Harvest in 14-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with: Lettuce, Chicory, Cucumber, peas, sage
  • Avoid growing with: Beans, tomatoes
  • A fennel seedling
  • Ready to use

Your comments and tips

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05 Dec 11, Karen McGregor (Australia - temperate climate)
My fennel seems to be making more frondy vegetation and the bulbs don't seem to be growing.What am I doing wrong? My soil is good and I feed my plants with worm tea.
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11 Feb 12, peter (Australia - temperate climate)
I think you should be sowing seed late summer for picking in June / July
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03 Apr 11, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know where Fennel seedlings can be purchased around inner city Melbourne?
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22 Mar 11, Erin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Ingrid, I also live in Monbulk. I got my seed through Diggers as i heard that most of the local nurseries are prohibited from selling Florence fennel as it is considered an invasive weed up here. They sell bronze fennel, but it is non-bulbing and only good for foliage and seed. Good luck!
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12 Mar 11, Simon Grove (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had a good crop of Florence fennel (swollen bases) in its first spring in my Tas garden, but then left the residual roots and stems to grow over the summer, which they have done flourishingly (I removed the flowerheads before they seed). Is it feasible to get another crop in subsequent springs if I cut these plants right back now - or will these older plants not redevelop those swollen bases next time around?
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14 Mar 11, Ray South (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I doubt that the you'll get a second crop of swollen bases but you can eat the new spring shoots in the same way.
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07 Mar 11, Katie (Australia - temperate climate)
I read that fennel is a good companion plant for citrus to help prevent gaul wasp infestation. Can I plant florence fennel or is the "vulgare" variety the best for this?
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28 Jan 11, Ianessa (Australia - temperate climate)
Ingrid you can get Florence Fennel from Diggers, they have mail order.
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27 Jan 11, ingrid (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy Florence Fennel seed? I live in monbulk Vic
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09 Feb 11, Geoff Hudson (Australia - temperate climate)
The Italian Gardener has organic (Montebianco) and conventional (bianco perfezione) fennel seeds.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Florence Fennel

Fennel might need a period of cold to break its dormancy. try putting it in the refigerator for a while before germinationg it.

- Mel Sperryn


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