Florence fennel
Crisp, anise-scented bulbs that thrive in cool, shortening days.
Florence fennel seeds
£2.49 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
June–July directly outdoors
Plant out
Keep well watered and harvest swollen bulbs before they bolt.
Harvest
September–November
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6-8 hours a day
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during dry spells; essential for preventing bolting
Soil
Light, well-drained, fertile soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
15-20cm (6-8 inches) apart
Containers
Good for pots (20cm+ diameter) or window boxes, but may bolt faster than in the ground
Indoors
Can be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill, but tends to bolt quickly
Care and harvest
Feeding
Generally not needed if soil is rich; can use a weak liquid feed if growth seems slow
Pruning
Pinch out flower stalks if you want to prolong leaf harvest; otherwise, let it flower for seeds
Harvesting
Keep well watered and harvest swollen bulbs before they bolt.
Storage
Use fresh; can be kept in a glass of water in the fridge for a few days, or frozen chopped
Good companions: Cabbage, Lettuce, Corn