How to Grow Fennel
Instructions for Growing Fennel
in Your Vegetable Garden
Photo courtesy of Carol in Florissant, MO
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
*** Easy to Grow!***
Fennel is a perennial with feathery leaves. This garden herb has a delicate aniseed flavor and is often used to flavor fish dishes and soups. It grows up to 5 feet tall. The leaves can be used as a garnish. The swollen leaf base is eaten, and the seeds are used for flavoring.
When thinking about growing fennel, keep in mind that the plants are very tall. Consider the best location for them when planning in your garden (you may wish to plant it at the back). Also, since it is a perennial, you will want to plant it in an area that's convenient for allowing it to stay in that gardening location (it comes back every year).
If growing fennel in cooler climates, cut the plant down to about 8” tall in the fall to help it winter over and to prepare it to grow again in the spring.
Fennel is also known as a herb with carminative properties, meaning that it can ease bloating, flatulence, and digestive cramps. Fennel can also reduce body odor that originates in the intestines. Women who are breast feeding may find that eating fennel increases milk flow.
How to Grow Fennel - Nutrition Information
Fennel contains: Dietary Fiber, Manganese, Folate, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Niacin, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Vitamin C.
How to Grow Fennel - Climate & Growing Conditions
Fennel thrives in hot, dry climates, but growing fennel can be done in nearly all garden climates. It loves sunshine.
If you place your fennel in a spot that's succeptible to winds in your yard, you may want to stake it for support.
Gardening Tip for How to Grow Fennel - Fennel has a reputation for hindering other plants' growth, so you may wish to place your fennel patch in an isolated location.
How to Grow Fennel - Prepaing the Garden Soil
Growing fennel requires soil pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. If the soil is too acidic, apply lime or dolomite, as directed on the package. (Instructions: How to test your garden soil pH level.)
Prepare the garden bed before planting by digging in compost and well-rotted manure. For success in gardening this vegetable, make sure that its garden bed is well-drained.
How to Grow Fennel - Planting
For growing fennel in warm climates, plant in autumn. For growing fennel in colder climates, plant in the spring.
Pick a permanent place in the garden, as the plant self-sows for future crops. Plant seeds 2” deep in rows that are 20” apart.
When the fennel seedlings appear, thin to 18” apart.
Or, you can take root cuttings by lifting mature plants in the spring, take the cuttings, and replant.
How to Grow Fennel - Watering
Do not water excessively.
How to Grow Fennel - Gardening Challenges
Fennel generally is problem free.
How to Grow Fennel - Harvesting
Fennel plants take several months to grow to maturity.
Pick fresh leaves as needed.
Gather seed heads before they turn completely brown, and store in a cool shady place.
You can blanch the stalks by mounding dirt around them when they are 2” in diameter.
Storage:
Gardening Tips From Our Readers
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.