How to Grow Florence Fennel

Florence fennel grows best during warm summers and needs an open, sunny site. Prepare a seedbed in fertile, well-drained soil, adding plenty of well-rotted organic matter the winter before planting. It thrives on warm, moist, fertile, sandy soils. The plants dislike root disturbance.

Is Florence fennel easy to grow?
Can I grow Florence fennel in pots?
How fast does Florence fennel grow?
Where does fennel grow best?
Does fennel come back every year?
Why did my fennel not form a bulb?
What can Fennel be planted with?
Are there two types of fennel?
Does fennel grow well in pots?
Can I grow fennel from a bulb?
Do butterflies like fennel?
How do I know when fennel is ready to harvest?

Is Florence fennel easy to grow?

Also called Florence Fennel or Finuccio, it is easy to grow and very hardy, lasting well after the first frost. With bright green, fern-like leaves and aromatic yellow flowers, this plant will grow three to four feet tall. Plant it in the back of the herb garden or in your vegetable garden.

Can I grow Florence fennel in pots?

Either wait for a good rainstorm to pass before sowing your fennel, or go over the ground several times with the watering can or hose to re-wet. Bulb fennel can also be grown in containers of multipurpose compost.

How fast does Florence fennel grow?

Harvesting fennel bulbs

Your Florence fennel bulbs will be ready to harvest in about 14 weeks. Cut the bulb above the soil, but leave the root in the ground. This may re-sprout and produce a second harvest of smaller, tender shoots.

Where does fennel grow best?

Fennel benefits from a rich, well-drained soil, with a pH of 5.5-6.8. Plant in a sunny spot for best results. Bear in mind that fennel is a Mediterranean crop, a cool-weather short-lived perennial normally grown as an annual.

Does fennel come back every year?

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a short-lived perennial with some types hardy in zones 4-9 but is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Native to southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, this plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) has sweetly aromatic foliage and flavor similar to anise.

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.

What can Fennel be planted with?

Fennel is a highly aromatic and slightly odd plant that is pretty much a poor companion plant for everything. Fennel companion planting generally only works when growing dill. However, even dill is a poor choice because the two herbs tend to cross-pollinate.

Are there two types of fennel?

There are two types of fennel. One is treated as an herb (herb fennel – Foeniculum vulgare) and one that is treated like a bulb type vegetable (Florence fennel or Finocchio – Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce). The herb type grows 3-5 feet tall with fine textured foliage resembling dill.

Does fennel grow well in pots?

Growing in Containers

You can also easily grow fennel in containers. Just be sure to plant in containers that are at least 10 inches deep.

Can I grow fennel from a bulb?

Absolutely! When you buy fennel from the store, the bottom of the bulb should have a noticeable base to it – this is where the roots grew from. When you cut up your fennel to cook with, leave this base and just a little bit of the attached bulb intact. Regrowing fennel plants is very easy.

Do butterflies like fennel?

Along the West Coast from Southern California to the Puget Sound, anise swallowtail caterpillars feed on fennel or anise (Foeniculum vulgare) as a host plant.

How do I know when fennel is ready to harvest?

Fennel is ready to harvest after approximately 90 days. Fennel leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant is well established. Only take a few leaves at a time to not cause harm to the plant. The bulb is ready for harvest once it reaches the size of a tennis ball.