Fennel is an aromatic herb that can be used in many different dishes. It is a hardy plant that can grow in most climates, but it does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Fennel can be harvested when the leaves are young and tender, or it is possible to wait until the plant produces seeds.
| Botanical Name: | Foeniculum vulgare |
| Other Names: | Sweet fennel, finocchio |
| Type of Plant: | Perennial herb |
| Size and Appearance: | Grows up to 6.5 ft (2 m) tall with fine, feathery leaves. The plant has a sweet aniseed flavor. |
Planting Time:
Sow in spring or early summer.
Blossoming Time:
Late summer.
Propagation:
From seed and cuttings.
Sun:
Full sun.
Temperature:
Between 68°F – 77°F (20°C – 25°C).
Soil:
Rich, well-drained soil.
Watering:
Medium; keep the soil moist but not wet.
Fertilize:
Fertilize monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Uses:
Fennel essential oil is used in aromatherapy.
How to plant and grow Fennel in the garden.
- Buy Fennel seeds or transplants from your local nursery or gardening center.
- Choose a location in your garden that gets full sun and has well-drained soil.
- If you are planting Fennel seeds, sow them directly in the ground in early spring. If you are transplanting, do so after the last frost date in your area.
- Plant Fennel 18-24 inches apart, depending on the size of the plant.
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil moist but not wet.
- Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
- Harvest Fennel when the leaves turn yellow and begin to fall off the plant. Cut the entire plant to ground level.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Buy Fennel seeds or transplants from your local nursery or gardening center.
Fennel seeds and transplants can be bought at many places, including online retailers, garden stores, and farmers’ markets.
The best place to buy fennel seeds and transplants depends on the buyer’s needs and preferences.
Some factors to consider include price, quality, selection, and convenience.
2. Choose a location in your garden that gets full sun and has well-drained soil.
Fennel prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need a lot of water.
Fennel can also tolerate some shade, but it will not produce as much foliage.
3. If you are planting Fennel seeds, sow them directly in the ground in early spring. If you are transplanting, do so after the last frost date in your area.
Fennel prefers a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil.
Add organic matter to the soil before planting to help improve drainage. Fennel is susceptible to root rot, so it’s important to make sure the soil isn’t too wet. If you have heavy clay soil, consider planting fennel in a raised bed.
Fennel seeds can be sown in the spring or fall. To sow the seeds, first loosen the soil in your planting area and then sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the soil. Gently press the seeds into the soil and then water the area lightly.
Fennel seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them with too much soil. You should see seedlings emerge within two weeks.
4. Plant Fennel 18-24 inches apart, depending on the size of the plant.
When thinning out seedlings, it is important to do so when they are young and have not yet developed their true leaves.
This ensures that the seedlings will be able to develop properly and won’t be stunted. To thin out fennel seedlings, simply snip off the weaker seedlings at ground level with a sharp pair of scissors.
Be sure to leave only the healthiest looking seedlings in each pot or tray.
5. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil moist but not wet.
A freshly planted Fennel needs a lot of water because it is a very thirsty plant. It will need to be watered every day, and even more so in hot weather.
6. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Fennel is a heavy feeder and will benefit from being fertilized every two to four weeks during the growing season.
Use a water-soluble fertilizer with a balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio.
7. Harvest Fennel when the leaves turn yellow and begin to fall off the plant. Cut the entire plant to ground level.
Fennel is ready to harvest when the bulb has swollen and the stalks are about 2-3 feet tall. The best time to harvest fennel is in the morning after the dew has evaporated.
This is because the flavor of fennel is at its peak during this time.
Step by Step guide on how to plant and grow Fennel in a planting pot
- Buy fennel seeds from a gardening store or online retailer.
- Fill a planting pot with a well-draining potting mix.
- Sow the fennel seeds on the surface of the potting mix, spacing them evenly apart.
- Cover the pot with a clear plastic lid or greenhouse film to create a humid environment for the seeds to germinate.
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that only the strongest ones remain.
- Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle.
- Grow the fennel plants on in a sunny spot, watering them regularly and feeding them with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
- When the plants are around 30cm tall, cut back their main stems by around two-thirds to encourage bushier growth.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Buy fennel seeds from a gardening store or online retailer.
Fennel seeds can be bought at most health food stores, as well as online. The best place to buy fennel seeds is from a reputable source that sells organic and non-GMO seeds.
2. Fill a planting pot with a well-draining potting mix.
A perfect pot for Fennel would be a tall, thin pot with drainage holes. Fennel likes well-drained soil and full sun, so this type of pot would be ideal.
The perfect potting mix for Fennel should be rich in organic matter and have a slightly acidic pH. This will help to create the optimal growing environment for Fennel and promote strong growth.
Good examples of potting mixes that would work well for Fennel include those containing peat moss, composted bark, or coco coir.
A Fennel plant needs 1 to 2 inches of potting mix. The potting mix provides nutrients and support for the plant.
3. Sow the fennel seeds on the surface of the potting mix, spacing them evenly apart.
Wet the potting mix thoroughly.
Sow fennel seeds on the surface of the soil, pressing them in lightly.
4. Cover the pot with a clear plastic lid or greenhouse film to create a humid environment for the seeds to germinate.
Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a glass lid to create a mini greenhouse effect and place it in a warm spot.
5. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the seeds germinate, which should happen within 10-14 days.
A Fennel needs about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of water a week.
Fennel prefers full sun and well-drained soil, so the perfect spot for it indoors in a pot would be near a sunny window.
Fennel is also drought tolerant, so it doesn’t need to be watered too often.
6. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that only the strongest ones remain.
Once the seedlings emerge, remove the cover and give them plenty of light.
To thin fennel seedlings, first water the seedlings well. Then, using a sharp knife or gardening shears, cut off the weaker seedlings at the soil line, being careful not to damage the roots of the stronger seedlings.
Finally, transplant the stronger seedlings to individual pots or into the garden, spacing them 12-18 inches apart.
7. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle.
Fill a pot with moistened potting mix. Gently remove a fennel seedling from its container, taking care not to damage the roots.
Place the seedling in the pot, and fill in around it with more potting mix. Firm the mix gently with your fingers. Water well.
8. Grow the fennel plants on in a sunny spot, watering them regularly and feeding them with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
The perfect fertilizer for Fennel that grow indoors is a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer.
9. When the plants are around 30cm tall, cut back their main stems by around two-thirds to encourage bushier growth.
To pinch back the tips of fennel plants, use your fingers to gently grasp the stem just below the topmost leaves. Gently bend the stem until it snaps.
This will encourage the plant to produce more foliage and side shoots.
To harvest fennel, first cut off the stalks about 2 inches above the bulb. Then, using a sharp knife, cut around the circumference of the bulb, being careful not to cut into it.
Finally, pull the fennel bulb out of the ground.
How to use Fennel
Fennel is an herb that has a variety of uses. It can be used in cooking, as tea, and in some medical and esoteric contexts.
In cooking, fennel can be used as a spice or herb. It has a mild licorice flavor and can be used to flavor soups, stews, sauces, salads, and other dishes. Fennel can also be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted.
As a tea, fennel can be used to help with indigestion and bloating. It can also be helpful in promoting lactation in nursing mothers. Fennel tea can also be used as a relaxation aid or to help with insomnia.
In some medical contexts, fennel is used as a natural treatment for colic in infants. It is also sometimes used to increase milk production in nursing mothers. Additionally, fennel essential oil is sometimes used in aromatherapy to treat anxiety and stress.
Esoterically, fennel is associated with courage, strength, and protection. It is also said to bring good luck. Additionally, fennel is sometimes used in magic spells and rituals for purification and transformation.
Facts about Fennel
- Fennel is a member of the carrot family
- It is native to the Mediterranean
- The bulb, stalk, and leaves are all edible
- Fennel has a sweet, aniseed flavor
- It is used in many Italian dishes
- Fennel seeds are used as a spice
