How to grow Fennel

A guide to growing Fennel in your garden. This guide includes sun requirements, when to plant, feeding and troubleshooting notes for this sweet liquorice tasting vegetable. 

Fennel requires rich, well draining soil with plenty of compost mixed in.

Plant Fennel in a full sun position. 

Fennel will tolerate light frosts, however seedlings are frost sensitive.

Plant Fennel roughly 30cm apart.  

Fennel is a cool season crop that grows best in temperatures between 21- 24°C (70–75°F), however seeds will germinate at temperatures between 15-20°C (59°F). 

Fennel is usually planted in late summer, early autumn and early spring. 

When transplanting seedlings, plant out in the early morning or evening and/or on an overcast day. Avoid planting at peak sun times or on windy days, this will allow your plants to settle in comfortably and protect them from windburn and sunburn.

Feed your Fennel plants with an organic fertiliser throughout the season. 

Harvest Fennel bulbs at any size that suits you. Fennel bulbs are most tender when they are roughly 3-4 inches in diameter. The larger the bulbs, the tougher they become.  

Pests that affect Fennel include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Cutworm, Root Knot Nematode. 

Diseases that affect Fennel include: Blight, Leaf Spot, Damping Off, Fusarium Wilt, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Collar Rot, Root Rot. 

Fennel is a short lived perennial plant, however is commonly grown as an annual.

Water regularly and mulch well to prevent the soil from drying out.