Fennel

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How to grow Fennel

Source: Grow your own vegetables, by Joy Larkcom;
also Allotment Handbook and Planner, by Mitchell Beazley) and here.

Florence fennel requires warm, sunny and moist conditions. It's very prone to bolting, so it must be kept well watered and protected from frost, otherwise the plant will bolt, flower and set seed quite quickly.

Sowing

Soaking the seeds for a day or two before sowing will ensure better germination. Sow seeds about 1cm deep.

Final distance: 25-30 cm apart.

It's possible to sow indoors (see below) into module trays (never seed trays) of compost. But be careful to minimise root disturbance when planting out in order to avoid bolting. Plant out when there are 4 leaves (not later), again to reduce the chance of bolting.

Indoor sowing

For early Summer crop, sow in modules in May-June.

For an Autumn crop, sow in September. It can tolerate light frost, but use protection (cloches or fleece) to prolong season. Alternatively, keep inside in 13 cm pots for early Winter picking.

In-situ sowing

For a main Summer crop, sow directly in late June-early July.

Care

Young plants can be eaten by slugs and snails.

Cold or dry weather can lead to bolting. Keep well watered. Use a thick mulch (grass clippings or other) over the soil to keep plants moist (which will also help to suppress weeds).

Give plants a boost every couple of weeks with a high potash feed.

Bulbs can be earthed up to blanch (but this is not required).

Harvest

Plants mature in 10-14 weeks. Cut bulb above soil level, leaving the root, which will resprout producing tasty shoots that can be added to salads. If it runs to seed, these can also be used as a spice.

Varieties

Sirio (quick to mature, good for main crop)
Perfection (bolt-resistant, good for early sowing)
Cantino (bolt-resistant variety with good strong flavour)
Amigo (RHS AGM, bolt-resistant)
Colossal (bolt resistant, very large bulbs)

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