Fennel Seeds

Description

Crop Rotation Group

Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ●

Soil

Rich, well-draining, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost dug in.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Seedlings are frost-tender, but mature plants tolerate light frost.

Feeding

Feed every 3 weeks with a liquid organic fertiliser, and use a rich, biodegradable mulch such as grass clippings.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11″) each way (minimum)
Rows: 25cm (9″) with 35cm (1′ 1″) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow in shallow furrows filled with potting soil. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart when they are 3 weeks old. Chop the pulled seedlings into salads.

Notes

When the bulb is the size of an egg, surround it with 6 inches of loose mulch to help it plump up and slightly blanch it.

Harvesting

Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. When the bulbs reach 8cm in diameter, pull them and store them in the refrigerator.