Sowing is easy and best done direct where the bulb fennel is to grow. Fennel thrives in hot, dry climates, but growing fennel can be done in nearly all garden climates. However, you shouldn't allow the fennel bulb to grow too large, or it will turn bitter. The Egyptians and the Chinese used it strictly for medicinal purposes and their lore was brought back to Europe by early traders. ". Now, I have to make some changes and I think plant it next to my rhubarb! Plant more than you need and thin them out as soon as they have two sets of true leaves, leaving behind the strongest seedlings to grow. The only stipulation it requires is that it be planted in well drained soil. Is it good? Early fall or late spring, after the final frost, are ideal times of year to plant fennel. I split one fennel plant into several. Mix any additives into the soil in advance, making certain that it has time to neutralize before planting season. Foremost fennel facts. For more advice, including how to grow fennel indoors, keep reading! I use fennel seeds in most everything. Growing fennel from seed If you want to get an early start with Florence fennel, sow seeds into modules under cover. To thresh the seeds, slap the stalk against a hard surface. Sow in early spring in small pots or modules under cover, or in mid-spring direct where it is to grow. Sow Florence fennel seeds successionally between May – June, 2cm deep in rows 38-45cm apart, thinning to 30cm between plants as they grow larger. Water in well and keep moist. By using our site, you agree to our. If so, you can use a pyrethrin-based insecticidal soap to get rid of them. Caring for and Harvesting Fennel in the Garden. Fennel is easy to grow. Plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep. Can a person with diabetes use fennel? It loves sunshine. ", weather here in Norfolk UK, I'll have to keep the plants indoors till the frost has gone. The steps for how to grow fennel are fairly simple since the fennel herb is such an agreeable garden plant. The Latin word for the plant was ferula, which is now used as the genus name of a related plant. This article has been viewed 188,921 times. Sow the seeds into weed-free soil that’s been raked to a fine texture, setting seeds about 1cm (0.5in) deep. ", "I'm a pure novice, and the entire article was a great help! Fennel bulbs will survive a frost or two, so there is no rush to harvest them as soon as the weather turns cold. Planting fennel in rich, well fertilized soil is not recommended, because the plant will lose a lot of its aromatic oils and taste if well fed. It's organic matter. Sow seed direct, planting 2 - 3 seeds in the middle of the pot. Thank you. Your soil might be too wet. This article received 12 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. They will keep for up to six months. To harvest, cut the fennel below the bulb at the soil line. Make sure to give it enough water and a sunny spot. Both grow best in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It propagates well from seed. Growing Conditions for Fennel Fennel is considered either a perennial or annual herb, depending on the region where you live. Propagating Mums: Growing Mums From Cuttings And Seeds, Periwinkle Care – How To Grow Periwinkle Plants, Winter Planning Process – Make To-Do Lists Happen, Fake Tree For The Holidays And Why I Love it, What Is The Winter Solstice: First Day Of Winter History, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. deep, or an even better option is a 5-gallon (19 L.) tub. How To Grow Fennel. ", "Very informative. When planting, space fennel seedlings from 4 to 12 inches apart, depending on variety. Allow the seeds to dry completely, then store them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. If you plant more than one fennel plant in a container of this size, it will be too crowded to produce a large bulb, but you will still be able to enjoy the leaves and seeds. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. In the first year, fennel will grow to about 60cm (24″) tall, but in mild areas plants can reach 2m (6′) tall. In the latest instalment of her series on vegetable garden staples, Clare Foster digs up the history of Florence fennel, and offers advice on its cultivation. This shades it from the sun and prevents it from turning green. It can be direct seeded into your garden after your last frost. By Clare Foster. Fennel loves full sun and well-draining soil, though it will tolerate poor soil. How to Grow Sweet Fennel Herb Plant Perennial, Nigella Hispanica. A pale-skinned beauty, Florence fennel is one of the more unusual additions to the vegetable garden. ", town's people have had allergy attacks from ambrosia, so I'm helping my family and friends to survive it with these plants. Fertile, well-draining soil in full sunlight is the gold standard for most garden plants, and fennel is no exception. "My techniques were pretty much on target, except I learned a couple of better tactics such as: "Once it has, "I have always had bronze fennel (herb) and love eating the fronds and seeds. established itself, you may only need to water it if there is a drought. This plant can tolerate light frosts, but needs protection when young. Herb fennel will grow perfectly well in a position in full sun or in partial shade. Fennel can be cut back early in the season to encourage bushier growth and should be deadheaded for seed harvest and to prevent over seeding of new plants. Growing Instructions The bulb of the fennel plant grows at the base of the stalks, but not underground. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Sow seeds in the early spring. Fennel does not require rich loam to grow properly. If you place your fennel in a spot that’s succeptible to winds in your yard, you may want to stake it for support. This is because fennel has a long tap root that doesn’t like to be divided or moved. Name – Foeniculum dulce Family – Apiaceae (parsley family) Type – biennial. If you live in zones 4 and 5 and you grow fennel in containers, you'll need to bring them indoors during the winter months and place them in a sunny spot. Fennel can grow up to five feet tall, which leaves the thin stems susceptible to breakage. Easy-to-grow fennel should be grown in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil. Native to Mediterranean region, the bulbous base and stalk of this plant, is popular eaten raw like celery, cooked, or boiled. In addition to its kitchen contributions, planting fennel will attract beneficial insects to the garden and its leaves are a favorite with the caterpillars of the swallowtail butterfly. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Closely related to Parsley, Fennel is popular in Italian and other Mediterranean recipes. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Fennel is a plant for which the roots are the part we eat and its nutritious and culinary value is exceptional. apart when they are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) Fennel is not usually affected by pests or disease, but occasionally you will spot aphids or whiteflies on the leaves. Soaking your seeds for a day or two before sowing will ensure better germination. If your soil is on the clay side, add some sharp sand to the bed. This came from the Old English fenol or finol, which in turn came from the Latin feniculum or foeniculum, the diminutive of fenum or faenum, meaning "hay". Containers are ideal if you only have space in your vegetable garden. Sweet fennel: It is used in culinary and medicines, and is a standard variety for producing dry leaves for cooking. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. While classified as a herb, Fennel is a popular European vegetable. Latin Foeniculum vulgare Plant fennel after the last spring frost. You should space plants 12-18-inches apart with 2-3 feet between rows. Plants will begin flowering about 90 days after planting. It is a very good summer vegetable. How long does it take a fennel plant to grow seeds? How to Grow Fennel . But if you want to try the outdoors, simply cast a few seeds into the bedding where you’d like them to grow and water every now and again. It should not be planted in the same area as dill or coriander because the plant may cross-pollinate easily—seed production will be reduced. Harvest – July to December, 3 months after sowing Sometimes living things look unique. The fine textured foliage can grow up to 6 feet (2 m.) tall and makes an excellent backdrop for other flower planting. Can I keep small plants grown from seed in pots and set them out in the spring? Like these other herbs, fennel plants produce aromatic fruits which are commonly, though incorrectly, referred to as seeds. Will they produce? Growing Fennel in a Container or Indoors If you don’t have a lot of space in your garden, don’t worry – you can easily grow fennel in a container. You can use an almanac to determine when the last frost typically occurs in your area. Plants may be divided, but this isn’t as easy as it is with other garden plants and often proves unsatisfactory. Make the very earliest sowings of herb fennel under cover or on a warm windowsill. If you plant more than one fennel plant in a container of this size, it will be too crowded to produce a large bulb, but you will still be able to enjoy the leaves and seeds. When growing fennel, choose a sunny location in the back of a well drained bed. Eventually, someone recognized its use as a flavoring for eggs and fish. Water when dry. 22 Aug 2019. Grow fennel in a sunny position in well-drained loamy soil. How to Grow Fennel in a Greenhouse. You can sow them directly outdoors or in pots. Harvest and dry seeds as the flower heads fade. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. If it is springtime, you can plant the fennel in your garden. You can even grow it in a pot if you are short on space. However, in northern zones (or areas where winter temperatures regularly drop below 15 degrees F/ -10 degrees C) fennel should be treated as an annual and will need to be replanted each spring. I have a fennel bulb that started to grow roots. Fennel is high in vitamin C and has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive issues for many thousands of years. Keep the area moist until the seeds sprout and thin the fennel plants to 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 46 cm.) ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. ", "It told me how to grow fennel successfully. Height – 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary to rich. How to Grow Fennel – Climate & Growing Conditions. How can I save it and grow a plant from it? Plan to plant fennel in the Fruska Gora mountain near my town. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1393300-v4-728px-Grow-Fennel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"