When to plant Florence Fennel in Cambridge

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 Cambridge · average last frost around 7 May

Sow outdoors July, harvest September to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    2 Jul to 16 Jul Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow thinly from 2nd July to 16th July 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

    19 Jul to 9 Aug Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 19th July to 9th August, 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

    23 Jul to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 23rd July to 19th October, 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

    24 Sept to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start cutting from 24th September once the bulbs are firm and well swollen. Lift or cut them as needed through 19th October, 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.