When to plant Florence Fennel in the UK

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
Sow outdoors June to July, harvest September to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    late June to mid-July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow thinly from late June to mid-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

    mid-July to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from mid-July to early 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

    mid-July to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From mid-July to late 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

    mid-September to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

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