When to plant Florence Fennel in Nottingham

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 Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr

Sow outdoors June, harvest September to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    15 Jun to 29 Jun Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow thinly from 15th June to 29th 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

    2 Jul to 23 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 2nd July to 23rd 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

    6 Jul to 7 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 6th July to 7th 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

    7 Sept to 7 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start cutting from 7th September once the bulbs are firm and well swollen. Lift or cut them as needed through 7th 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.