Growing instructions for Fennel

Season:

Summer and Winter

In frost-free areas, fennel can be grown during the winter months, but is a good cool season crop

grown mostly during spring and autumn. In hotter areas, it will survive through winter.

 

Position:

Semi-shade (summer) and Full sun (winter)

 

Soil ph:

Between 6 and 8

 

Watering needs:

Once or twice a week.

 

Possible pests & problems:

Aphids (very rare)

 

Maintenance & Extras:

Fennel is very easy to grow and does not need a whole lot of extra maintenance, as long as it is

planted in fertile, well-draining soil.

 

Additional fertilizers:

Root feed (once or twice throughout the season)

 

Harvest:

Bulb Fennel (Or Green Fennel or Florence Fennel) is usually grown for the bulb at the bottom and

thus harvested when the bulb has fully matured. But individual leaves can also be harvested

before the bulb matures. Bronze Fennel does not make a bulb and is grown for it’s foliage

(leaves), which can be harvested at any time or as soon as the plant is around 30cm to 40cm high.

 

Cultivars:

Common fennel is a hardy perennial herb and part of the parsley family, used for its leaves in

salads and to flavour dishes. Bronze fennel is a decorative garden plant which does not form a

bulb. The bronze/purple leaves are eye-catching and has a sweet liquorice flavour. Florence

fennel is an annual and grown for its bulb at the base of the plant.

 

General:

Fennel is fairly easy to grow, but can stunt the growth of other plants. It is therefore best to keep

them away from other vegetable plants. Fennel is classified as both a herb and a vegetable, and

can be used in various ways. Bulb fennel (Florence) should get harvested once the bulb at the

bottom is about the size of a tennis ball.

Fennel can be grown in containers of at least 30cm to 40cm deep.