How to grow Fennel?
- Latin Family: Apiaceae
- Latin Genus: Foeniculum
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Perennial
A highly aromatic and flavorful herb with a flavor similar to licorice. Leaf Fennel is grown for its seeds, flowers and leaves and is used as a flavoring.
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Fennel History
Fennel is native to the Mediterranean, but has been widely cultivated around the world and is now naturalized in many areas. Fennel has been most highly refined as a crop in Italy, which is why these varieties so often have Italian names. These are usually grown as annuals, though Fennel is actually a perennial.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 8.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 7.0 - 8.0
Fennel will grow in most soils, but prefers a rich, well-drained, alkaline soil with moderate nitrogen. It doesn't need very much phosphorus or potassium.
How to care for Fennel?
Fennel is a fairly easy plant to grow. It doesn't need a lot of water and has no serious pests or diseases.
Water
The soil should be kept evenly moist for rapid growth, but be careful because Fennel doesn't like wet soil. A mulch will help to conserve moisture in warm weather.
Fertilizer
Fennel is a fairly light feeder and doesn't need very rich soil.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 4 years
Fennel flowers have both male and female parts and are self-fertile. They are pollinated by insects (the flowers are renowned for attracting wildlife) and different varieties will cross (it will also cross with wild plants).
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Fennel likes full sun and can tolerate hotter and drier conditions that most crops.
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Dry fennel seeds for use as flavoring or tea. Put the seed heads in a paper bag until they are fully dry and then store in an airtight container.
Storage Req: Dry
Storage Temp: 50-70°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Green Fennel doesn't dry well and is best used fresh. It can be kept in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to a week.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-7 days
Problems
Celery Worms & Parsley Caterpillars
Pick worms and caterpillars off by hand.
Fennel Types
- Fennel
A highly aromatic and flavorful herb with a flavor similar to licorice. Leaf Fennel is grown for its seeds, flowers and leaves and is used as a flavoring.
Pests
- Deer
- Slugs and snails
- Aphids
- Carrot Rust Fly
- Caterpillars
- Cutworms
- Gophers
Diseases
- Leaf Blight
- Damping Off
- Root Rot
