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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

This is a perennial grown as an annual as the stems become more fibrous with age. Both seeds and leaves have a mild aniseed flavour. With its feathery leaves it makes a good background plant in a border. Grows to approx 1.5m (5ft) Can be repeat sown throughout the year or left to self seed.

Fennel prefers well-drained fertile soil.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Florence Fennel

The swollen base of the stem is used.

Slice and steam/stir-fry the bulb, or use raw/grated in salads. Can be cooked and served with sauces or butter.

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?
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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!
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21 Apr 13, Craig (Australia - temperate climate): Where can I get seeds or seedlings I am in Hastings Vic ?
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28 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate): Bunnings has the seeds and punnets of seedlings. Might be a bit late to get seeds going.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Replying to:

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.

- Corinne Cowper

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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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