Fennel Growing Guide

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel

Crop Rotation Group

Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ●

Soil

Rich, well drained soil generously amended with compost. In clay soil, use raised beds.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Seedlings are frost tender, but mature plants tolerate light frost.

Feeding

Feed every 3 weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer, and use a rich, biodegradable mulch such as grass clippings.

Spacing

Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9" (25cm) with 1' 1" (35cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start seeds indoors, or sow in shallow furrows filled with potting soil. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are 3 weeks old. Chop the pulled seedlings into salads.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

When the bulb is the size of an egg, surround it with 6 inches of loose mulch to help it plump up.

Harvesting

Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. When the bulbs reach 3 inches in diameter, pull them and store in the refrigerator.

Troubleshooting

Grows best in cool weather. In some climates, fennel grows better in fall than in spring.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Fennel