Florence fennel / Finocchio

Plant family

Umbellifers (Apiaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

30 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

The season for this plant is over. The following instructions are for the next season.

Beginning of January

Sowing

End of January

Thinning

Mid of March

Harvesting

Description

The vegetable fennel or tuber fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) is, like the spice fennel, a cultivated form of the wild fennel. It is an annual plant whose tubers are used.

Growing tips

A total cultivation period of 12 weeks after sowing or 8 weeks from planting is to be expected. Tuberous fennel requires a slightly warm, deep and nutrient-rich soil in a sunny position. For a preculture, prick out from the cotyledon stage and place the pot in a bright, cool spot. After 5 weeks, the seedlings are planted out flat on the bed. Direct seeding into the field is possible from mid-May to late June. Drought and heat increase the risk of tuberous fennel bolting in the summer. Therefore, mulching with lawn clippings or straw is recommended for the formation of large tubers. If there is a risk of frost (usually starting in October), the tubers should be covered or mounded. Tuberous fennel generally has medium nutrient requirements.