Fennel
Ready to harvest
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an aromatic umbellifer grown either for its swollen bulb (Florence fennel) or its feathery, aniseed-flavoured leaves.
What it's used for
Fennel bulbs can be sliced raw into salads or braised, while the leaves and seeds are great for seasoning fish and roasts.
Grow your own at home
It needs a sunny spot and consistent moisture to stop bulbing varieties from bolting. Bolting is where a crop prematurely runs to the seed stage, and it can make the leaves bitter and unusable.
Fennel is best sown from May to July.
You can harvest the bulbs when swollen and firm, and the leaves and seeds throughout the summer.
Our planting guides are designed to help you get the best from your fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Every garden is unique, so growing conditions, weather, soil, and climate can affect results. Use this information as a helpful guide, and adapt it to suit your local conditions and gardening experience. Happy growing!
