Fennel Growing Guide

Foeniculum vulgare

Crop Rotation Group

Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ●

Soil

Rich, well draining, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost added.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

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

Feeding

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

Spacing

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

Sow and Plant

Start seeds indoors, or sow in shallow furrows filled with potting soil. Thin seedlings to 30cm (12 in) apart when they are 3 weeks old. Chop the pulled seedlings into salads.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised 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 and slightly blanch it.

Harvesting

Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. When the bulbs reach 8cm (3 in) in diameter, pull them and store in the refrigerator.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Fennel

Aphids (General)

Carrot Root Fly

Slug

Snail