Its feathery, branching, aromatic, yellow-green foliage and tall stature can be attractive as border plantings, in cottage gardens, and more. It is also a good choice for butterfly gardens , as swallowtail caterpillars use it as a food source and pupal site. The plant sports small yellow flowers in the summertime, followed by aromatic seeds that can be harvested along with the foliage.
It has a flavor similar to anise or licorice. Fennel is typically planted in the spring, and it has a fast growth rate. Plant fennel in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.
It takes between 60 and 90 days for most fennel varieties to mature. A sunny planting site with good soil drainage is key. Besides planting in the garden, raised beds and containers also are options. Fennel should not be planted in the same area as dill or coriander , as cross-pollination can occur and affect the flavor of the seeds. In addition, be sure to take the fennel variety's mature size into account at planting time, so it doesn't shade nearby plants. Also, it can inhibit the growth of tomatoes and beans , so avoid planting near either of those crops.
Plants should be spaced around 6 to 12 inches apart, and they typically won't need a support structure. Fennel prefers full sunlight, meaning at least six hours of direct sun on most days. Shady conditions will make it leggy and floppy. Plant fennel in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH. Fennel likes evenly moist but not soggy soil. Fennel is a perennial plant within its growing zones, but gardeners outside of its zones often grow it as an annual.
The plant is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures. Plus, hot and dry conditions can cause it to bolt and go to seed. Gardeners in mild climates are sometimes able to plant in the late summer for a fall harvest as long as the temperature remains fairly warm. The plant grows best in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and in moderate humidity levels.
Fennel generally doesn't need fertilizer. But it will appreciate compost worked into the soil at the time of planting, along with a layer of compost added around its base every few months during the growing season. Fennel plants are self-pollinators. There are two main types of fennel to grow in your garden, depending on how you plan to use it.
Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. The main species plant, common or herb fennel, doesn't produce much of a bulb and is typically grown for its foliage. Florence fennel cultivars include:. Herb fennel varieties include:. At first glance, fennel and dill foliage can look quite similar. The leaves are feathery, bright yellow-green, and branching.
However, fennel leaves tend to be longer than those of dill. And the herbs have distinct flavors. Harvest fennel leaves as needed throughout the growing season for fresh use. It also boasts a strong, licorice- like flavor. Fennel is a tender perennial, which means the plant may make it through the winter in warm areas, but is sensitive to cold. Most gardeners grow fennel as an annual. Secondly, how do you know when to harvest fennel? Florence fennel bulbs should be harvested when they're the size of a small fist or a tennis ball.
The bulbs form best in cool temperatures and take about three weeks from when they begin to form to grow to harvest size. Planting fennel by seed is the much easier option. Seed can be sown as soon as the soil warms in the spring. Soaking your seeds for a day or two before sowing will ensure better germination.
Keep the area moist until the seeds sprout and thin the fennel plants to 12 to 18 inches apart when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. Crop requirements Bear in mind that fennel is a Mediterranean crop, a cool-weather short-lived perennial normally grown as an annual. Fennel survives light frosts, but will only survive over winter outdoors assuming you didn't harvest the bulb in zones In zones it grows as a biennial. Can you eat fennel after it flowers? They are still edible when they bolt.
Can be a bit woody though. I have a fennel which has gone to seed and its beautiful. Why did my fennel not form a bulb? So, the most likely reason for no bulb on fennel is that you have planted the wrong type. You can still use the lower stalks, the leaves and seeds, which will have a somewhat mellower but still delightful flavor than the bulb. Another reason for fennel with no bulb is planting too late. Can you grow fennel in pots? Fennel should be grown in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil.
Sowing in modular trays is recommended as fennel doesn't like root disturbance. Sowing in Modular Trays. Use a seed compost which has a finer texture and lower nutrients than your standard multipurpose compost. We use a seed module tray with each section being approx 2 inches deep.
If the springtime weather is poor you may need to pot the modules on to 8cm pots and leave them in the tunnel or greenhouse. Planting is delayed by couple of weeks but you'll definitely get better plants. Fennel Seedling Care. When growing seedlings indoors you be careful they don't get leggy, i. Leggy Seedlings. Seedlings become 'leggy' when they get too much heat and not enough light.
If you are starting them off on a windowsill make sure they get as much daylight as possible. You can make a makeshift light box by placing a sheet of reflective tinfoil on the room side of the seedling tray. This will reflect daylight onto the darker side of the plant. If the plants are on a heat bench or in a propagator and they are looking spindly, turn the heat down and try to give them as much light as possible.
Thinning If 2 fennel seedlings have germinated in any of your pots you need to remove the weaker one. Don't pull the seedling out as you'll damage the roots of the one you want to keep. Nip the unlucky one with your finger nail or cut with a scissors. Watering You are actually far better to under rather than over water your plants.
This may sound odd but making the roots search for water helps to develop a better root system. It's a bit like keeping fit.
You do need to be careful, however, not to let the compost plug completely dry out or it will form a crust on top and won't absorb the moisture the next time you water. It will all depend on the weather of course but on a hot day you will need to water twice a day, if it's it's dull every 2 days will be fine. Hardening Off Fennel plants should hardened off before planting in their final positions, especially earlier sowings.
Plants that have been raised indoors will need to get used to the outdoor temperature and conditions before they can be planted outside, this will take about a week to 10 days depending on the weather. The best way is to use a cloche or mini greenhouse. You can leave the cloche off the plants on dry frost free days and replace at night. Gradually increase the time with the cloche removed until the end of the week when you leave it off day and night.
If the weather is mild you may not need the cloche, just move the plants outside for longer periods each day. If you have started your seeds on a windowsill you will need to leave them in an unheated room for a day or two before moving outside to the cloche. Planting out Fennel Seedlings You can plant out your fennel seedlings 4 or 5 weeks after your sowing date providing the weather id good. Seedlings which have been potted on should be planted out 7 weeks after sowing.
Water your plants well an hour before planting. To plant your seedling make a hole in the soil the approximate size of the seedling 'plug'. You need to push the soil in around the roots firmly with your fingers to get good contact with the soil. Don't firm down on the top of the soil as this can compact it and prevent moisture getting down to the plants roots. Water the plants after planting but do not soak them.
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