When to plant Florence Fennel in Brighton

Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum

Florence Fennel
Florence Fennel · Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum

A half-hardy fennel grown for its swollen leaf bases. In the UK it does best sown from late spring into mid-summer in fertile, moisture-retentive soil, with steady watering to avoid bolting and split bulbs.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Brighton · last frost ≈ 10 Apr

Sow outdoors June, harvest August to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    5 Jun to 19 Jun Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow thinly from 5th June to 19th June in shallow drills, about deep. Keep the soil evenly moist and sow a fresh batch every 14 days for a longer harvest season.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    22 Jun to 13 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 22nd June to 13th July, thin them to one plant every . Keep the strongest seedlings and remove the rest by snipping them off at soil level with scissors, so you do not disturb the roots.

  3. 03

    Water and Mulch

    26 Jun to 11 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 26th June to 11th November, water regularly so the soil stays evenly moist, especially in dry spells. Mulch around plants to hold moisture and slow bolting, but keep the mulch clear of the developing bulb.

  4. 04

    Harvest Bulbs

    28 Aug to 11 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start cutting from 28th August once the bulbs are firm and well swollen. Lift or cut them as needed through 11th November, before plants become woody or start to run to seed.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Florence Fennel to consider

Perfection

A reliable maincrop type with good-sized bulbs and a steady crop in the UK.

Cantino

A compact hybrid that bulks up fairly evenly and suits smaller plots.

Romanesco

A popular open-pollinated type with crisp, rounded bulbs and good flavour.

Solaris

A bolt-tolerant hybrid that performs well where summers turn dry and hot.

Florence Fennel guides by town

See how Florence Fennel timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.