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Fennel seeds
There are two main methods for growing your fennel.
Plants may be divided, but this isn’t as easy as it is with other garden plants and often proves unsatisfactory—because fennel has a long tap root that doesn’t like to be divided or moved.
Planting fennel by seed is the much easier option. Seed can be sown as soon as the soil warms in the spring. Soaking your seeds for a day or two before sowing will ensure better germination. Keep the area moist until the seeds sprout and thin the fennel plants to 12 to 18 inches apart when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. Plants will begin flowering about 90 days after planting.
Have you successfully grown fennel from seed? Please share your experiences with us by commenting below.
I grew beautiful fennel plants however the bulbs started about 18 inches above the ground and were small. From all the pictures I’ve seen the fennel bulb begins at the root. What’s up with mine?
I planted seeds and didn’t realize until I read your info that I planted the herb not the vegetable. It is a bush size perennial plant that never actually made the bulbs. It smells great and the foliage is pretty but just ornamental for me. Nice to know I didn’t do anything wrong growing it!
I have never tried to grow fennel, but I may do so this year.
Brenda, I’m a huge fan of all things black licorice so fennel is a favorite plant for me. If you do decide to give it a try, let us know how it turns out. Happy Gardening my friend!