Florence fennel / Finocchio

Plant family

Umbellifers (Apiaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

30 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Beginning of February

Sowing

Beginning of March

Thinning

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 can be expected. Tuberous fennel requires easily warmed, deep and nutrient-rich soil in a sunny location. For pre-cultivation, prick out from the cotyledon stage and place the pot in a bright, cool place. After 5 weeks, the young plants are planted out flat on the bed. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from mid-May to the end of June. Drought and heat increase the risk of tuberous fennel bolting in summer. Mulching with grass cuttings or straw is therefore recommended for the development of large tubers. If there is a risk of frost (usually from October), the tubers should be covered or piled up. Tuberous fennel generally has a medium nutrient requirement.