Florence Fennel

Florence Fennel is a stunning and versatile herb-vegetable hybrid celebrated for its unique anise-like flavor and elegant appearance. This Mediterranean favorite grows with feathery, aromatic green fronds and a crisp, white, bulbous base, making it both a visual and culinary delight. Its delicate flavor complements salads, roasts, and soups, while its tender bulbs are perfect for grilling, braising, or eating raw. Florence Fennel is easy to grow, thriving in a wide range of climates and adding a touch of sophistication to any garden. Fronds can be used as a fresh herb, offering multiple uses from a single plant, while pollinators are drawn to its delicate yellow flowers, boosting the biodiversity of your garden. Its ability to improve digestion and support overall health adds to its appeal, making it as functional as it is flavorful.

Also Known As: Finocchio, Bulb Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Anise Fennel, Italian Fennel, Florence Anise, Garden Fennel, Bronze Fennel, Wild Fennel, and Foeniculum Vulgare.

Plant Name:	Fennel, Florence
Latin Name:	Foeniculum vulgare
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	90
Plant Height:	3 - 5 Feet
Spread:	18 - 24 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	4-9
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. If planting in a garden bed, carrots can be planted more densely, at a rate of 16 plants per square foot.

Planting:

Fennel is best planted in early spring, after the last frost, when the soil has warmed to about 60F. You can direct sow fennel seeds outdoors or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest. For fall crops, direct sow seeds 12-16 weeks before the first average frost date. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	18-24 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Fennel can be harvested in stages depending on which part you wish to use. To harvest fennel bulbs, wait until they reach a size of about 3-4 inches in diameter, usually around 3-4 months after planting. The bulbs should be firm and white, with a distinct, crisp texture. You can harvest the entire bulb by cutting it at ground level, or for smaller, younger bulbs, you can trim just the outer stalks. If harvesting fennel for its fronds (leaves), you can begin cutting them as soon as they are fully grown and the plant is established, usually within 60-70 days. For fennel seeds, wait until the flowers bloom and the seeds turn brown, which usually happens late in the season, around the time of the first frost. Once the seeds are dry, cut the flowering heads and allow them to dry fully before removing the seeds for storage.