Growing fennel - Ask Extension
I’ve started fennel but I’m not sure how or when to transplant them to the garden. I’m told they like cooler temps, when would it be ok to tran...
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Growing fennel #715530
Asked August 20, 2020, 9:04 AM EDT
I’ve started fennel but I’m not sure how or when to transplant them to the garden. I’m told they like cooler temps, when would it be ok to transplant outside? When it is ok to transplant, should I leave them as they are or should I try to separate them? Or perhaps thin them out now by snipping off and leaving only one in each container while waiting for cooler temps? Please help! Thanks
Sussex County Delaware
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Fennel is a perennial (but usually grown as an annual) that grows to about 3 to 4 feet in height. All types of fennel can self-seed to the point of invasiveness. Don’t confuse bulb fennel with the annual herb fennel whose seeds are used for flavoring. I am unable to tell from this image if you have bulb fennel or just from seed. Regardless it does look like 3 potential plants growing in the pot.
Bulb fennel prefers cool, moist soil high in organic matter. A late summer crop can be direct-seeded into the ground in late June or early July for a fall harvest. Varieties include Trieste, Orion, and Zefa Fino, the last being bolt-resistant and maturing around 80 days.
When growing fennel, prepare a fertile, well-drained bed in a spot that is convenient to water, because bulb fennel must have moist soil.
I have attached some information for you regarding the fennel as well.
Happy Gardening!
Thank you for your question.
Fennel is a perennial (but usually grown as an annual) that grows to about 3 to 4 feet in height. All types of fennel can self-seed to the point of invasiveness. Don’t confuse bulb fennel with the annual herb fennel whose seeds are used for flavoring. I am unable to tell from this image if you have bulb fennel or just from seed. Regardless it does look like 3 potential plants growing in the pot.
Bulb fennel prefers cool, moist soil high in organic matter. A late summer crop can be direct-seeded into the ground in late June or early July for a fall harvest. Varieties include Trieste, Orion, and Zefa Fino, the last being bolt-resistant and maturing around 80 days.
When growing fennel, prepare a fertile, well-drained bed in a spot that is convenient to water, because bulb fennel must have moist soil.
I have attached some information for you regarding the fennel as well.
Happy Gardening!
It is. Bulb fennel. I asked if I can leave all 3 or do I need to separate Them or snip off 2. I’ve been told fennel doesn’t want roots disturbed. That’s the important part of my original question. Also I don’t see anything attached or perhaps you think I can access something That I can’t. Maybe you would email the attachment to me. My email is <personal data hidden>. Thanks
This publication from Utah State University should answer all your questions about how to grow fennel: http://www.webgrower.com/information/grow-sheets/fennel-in-the-garden.pdf
Thanks for sending the link to the attachment you were referring to.
