Growing Florence Fennel, also Finocchio

foeniculum vulgare dulce : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
        P              

(Best months for growing Florence Fennel in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Thin to 6 inches
  • Harvest in 14-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce, Chicory, Cucumber, peas, sage
  • Avoid growing close to: Beans, tomatoes

Your comments and tips

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28 Jan 11, Ianessa (Australia - temperate climate)
Ingrid you can get Florence Fennel from Diggers, they have mail order.
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27 Jan 11, ingrid (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy Florence Fennel seed? I live in monbulk Vic
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09 Feb 11, Geoff Hudson (Australia - temperate climate)
The Italian Gardener has organic (Montebianco) and conventional (bianco perfezione) fennel seeds.
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29 Jan 11, Tracey (Australia - temperate climate)
Ingrid, I don't know if any of the big seed companies like Yates sell them. I order my fennel seeds from the Italian Gardener. I have also bought seeds from Digger Club in the past (but the quality of the bulbs wasn't as good as the italian ones). Most of the mail-order companies carry them - Cornucopia, Eden Seeds and New Gippsland Seeds are a few. A quick google will take you to their websites. Hope this helps
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13 Jul 10, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
The fennel I planted has several bulbs growing together (that's how it came. Should I separate them, if so, how?
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24 Apr 10, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
@ Janet You may have planted the wrong kind of fennel There are two kinds. Florence Fennel produces the bulb at the bottom and Bronze Fennel just goes to seed and is usually grown for the seeds or the feathery leaves. Bronze fennel is the one that grows along the sides of the roads (feral) in many parts of Australia.
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10 Feb 10, Janet (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
That explains why my fennel just grew up and went to seed without growing a bulb. I planted it in late spring but it obviously should have been late summer/autumn.
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30 Jan 10, Dion Italiano (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in pinjarra W.A and would like to know the right time to plant my seed?And can you let it grow above the ground like an onion or a beetroot?Because in recent times i've been told that as they grow you need to pack them up.
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14 Mar 09, sonofkit (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
As fennel is a perennial I would expect new growth to come from the old plant. Also, for cooking - slice lengthwise in half, or more if they are big, place in a baking tray, sprinkle with salt & pepper, drop in some butter and bake covered at about 180c for about 20 mins.
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12 Mar 09, gay staurup (Australia - temperate climate)
i have a question: the old fennel plant is still in the ground. will it grow a new bulb from that or should i sow seed to get new plants?
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Showing 31 - 40 of 40 comments
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@ Janet You may have planted the wrong kind of fennel There are two kinds. Florence Fennel produces the bulb at the bottom and Bronze Fennel just goes to seed and is usually grown for the seeds or the feathery leaves. Bronze fennel is the one that grows along the sides of the roads (feral) in many parts of Australia.

- Jane

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