Romanesco Fennel is a Florence Fennel heirloom variety—the “bulbing” type of fennel that grows easily and that reliably produces pastel-green oval bulbs and feathery tops. Use the crispy bulbs in a salad, when sliced raw, or you can grill, roast, or sauté them for a juicy, sweet anise flavor to go with other vegetables as a side dish. The feathery and leafy tops can be used as herb seasoning when chopped and spread over some salmon, for example.

Characteristics:

• Grows up to 5 feet tall and 1½ feet across
• Long, fine, dark-green feathery tops
• Plant after danger of hard frost is over
• Likes fertile soil and full sun
• Can be started from seeds indoors
• Heavy feeder, so fertilize every 2-3 weeks with high-nitrogen fertilizer
• Moderate to high-level watering requirements
• Sweet anise-celery flavor

Have you tried Romanesco Heirloom Fennel? Tell us your experience growing Romanesco Heirloom Fennel by commenting below.