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 S S            
        T T T          
        P P P          

(Best months for growing Florence Fennel in Australia - tropical 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 15 cm
  • 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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21 Sep 15, Tracy Stanley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Tiffany, Thanks for the reply - I might just leave a couple and see... Cheers, Tracy
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10 Apr 15, Chali (Australia - temperate climate)
Goodmorning, could you please tel me the best time to grow fennel in temperate climates. Thankyou (Check under the plant name for Temperate zone - Liz)
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06 Apr 14, Maddison (Australia - temperate climate)
What are the types of pest that attack fennel ????
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11 Jul 13, Isy Mc Donald (Australia - tropical climate)
I was given 4 seedlings and planted them about April they are growing well but I was unsure when they would be ready for use, looking at the picture they must still have a way to go as they are all feathery top ( I mistakenly thought the bulb would be underground like a carrot) and no sign of root. We have been have 6-11C degrees mornings here for the last 3 weeks or so and unually drizzely days (2-10mls)
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11 Jan 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
don't know if you will get this but I thought I would make a comment by now your fennel should have had a large swolen stem you If you didn't eat it it would become skinny again and then grow up to seed if it didn't you will have ordinarily fennel or wild fennel if it made a swolen stem you will have a plant called Florence fennel
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02 May 13, April (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have heard fennel is a vegetable that doesnt do well as a companion to anything else but i see above there are a few has anyone had some luck with this? Also i want to plant out now but was hoping that the timing of them being ready be after mid august...should i hold off a bit?
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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - arid climate)
Seeds are available from several Australian heritage and organic seed suppliers. Diggers Club is closest to you. You can buy online...or take a quick trip across the Peninsula to Dromana - why not enjoy a day out at their gardens and cafe? I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you have too!
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21 Apr 13, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I get seeds or seedlings I am in Hastings Vic ?
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28 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings has the seeds and punnets of seedlings. Might be a bit late to get seeds going.
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15 Jun 12, Diana (Australia - arid climate)
Did you have any luck finding the fennel seedlings? I live in SW NSW and have a couple of patches of fennel going wild and self seeding. I'm on a property and am experimenting with what I can grow that is easy care - and fennel is one of them (so long as the soil is kept mulched during seed germination time and early seedling stage). I don't water my gardens often so I don't get as good a bulb size than if I did water - but fennel doesn't mind the lack of watering once established.
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