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

11 Jul 13, Isy Mc Donald (Australia - tropical climate)
I was given 4 seedlings and planted them about April they are growing well but I was unsure when they would be ready for use, looking at the picture they must still have a way to go as they are all feathery top ( I mistakenly thought the bulb would be underground like a carrot) and no sign of root. We have been have 6-11C degrees mornings here for the last 3 weeks or so and unually drizzely days (2-10mls)
11 Jan 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
don't know if you will get this but I thought I would make a comment by now your fennel should have had a large swolen stem you If you didn't eat it it would become skinny again and then grow up to seed if it didn't you will have ordinarily fennel or wild fennel if it made a swolen stem you will have a plant called Florence fennel
06 Apr 14, Maddison (Australia - temperate climate)
What are the types of pest that attack fennel ????
02 Aug 14, nokwanda (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I grew fennel last year in east london. It did very well but I didn't understand how and when to harvest it for some time. It almost overwhelmed me. I would rather have it as an annual in future.
10 Apr 15, Chali (Australia - temperate climate)
Goodmorning, could you please tel me the best time to grow fennel in temperate climates. Thankyou (Check under the plant name for Temperate zone - Liz)
10 Sep 15, Tracy Stanley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello all, I have havested some fennel but have left the actual root in the ground and now I seem to have baby fennel growing again - from these roots. Does anyone know if I can leave the roots in the ground to keep sprouting? Much easier, if so, as I dont need to bother about tender seedlings. Cheers, Tracy
12 Sep 15, Tiffany (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Tracy, I've had fennel growing from roots left in a large pot a for the past couple of years - just because I hadn't bothered doing anything with them. They don't seem to grow as bulbous like this, and tend to bolt quickly, which is great for the insects. I have eaten a few baby bulbs from it too. :)
21 Sep 15, Tracy Stanley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Tiffany, Thanks for the reply - I might just leave a couple and see... Cheers, Tracy
08 Apr 16, jaye (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I live in Kingston Jamaica in the area where temperature at this time is 85 degrees. Can fennel seeds grow in this area under a shade cloth
11 Apr 17, Wayne Grant (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a fennel seed from a dried herb packet i bought from an organic store. What variety if fennel do they typically sell as a herb?
Showing 31 - 40 of 60 comments

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

- Morris Lemire

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