Growing Fennel, also Bronze fennel

foeniculum vulgare : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

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

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • 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 12 inches
  • Harvest in 14-15 weeks.
  • Avoid growing close to: Best grown away from vegetables

Your comments and tips

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02 Jul 12, Pixie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ive had no luck growing a fennel bulb, I only get beautiful leaves and seeds, it's the yummy bulb I'm after. What should I be purchasing to grow fennel bulbs? Thank you
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01 Sep 12, Alexis (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Pixie - the bulb grows on Florence fennel, whereas wild fennel will just give you leaves and seeds.
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26 Jun 12, Rob Watts (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Fennel leaves which are young and soft make an excellent tasting and aromatic addition to any mixed salad - chop finely and mix with what ever else you have fresh. A great addition for 12 months of the year in Brisbane!
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17 Nov 11, Graeme (Australia - arid climate)
You will find fennel seeds in your pantry cupboard. And cumin seeds. And a lot of other things you use everyday for cooking. Just plant them and water them!
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05 Oct 11, Glenda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted fennel for the first time. Can you tell me when it is ready for picking?
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17 Sep 11, sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have had my fennel planted in the bath tub for several months now and haven't had anything good to eat,the ladt from bunnings told me to keep one plant so I can get seeds from it but do u trim the stalk or let that keep growing as well.
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18 Dec 10, Mike Windows (Australia - temperate climate)
Just read about fennel which I have recently grown (from a potted plant) and enjoyed eating. Surprised that under "culinary" you don't mention baking, steaming or raw in salads or with fish. However, what your site doesn't tell me is what to do once you have harvested the bulbs. I cut the plant right back and it has regrown, shooting up tall ungainly stems that look weird (almost as if bulbs are trying to grow on the stems) and then the stem divides. The base doesn't look like promising bulbs. Can you help? I'm in metro Adelaide. Thanks.
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05 Nov 09, Baboon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Eden seeds have fennel for sale www.edenseeds.com.au.
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07 Sep 09, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What supplier sells fennel seed for growing in garden? Regards Alan.
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08 Apr 09, Jean Moutton (Australia - temperate climate)
when growing fennel, make sure to water it regularly every two days or so. This is to keep the leaves green and healthy.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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