Leslie Massey
Fennel is a highly decorative vegetable or herb with soft, dill-like foliage and sturdy stems. It is best known for its aromatic aniseed flavour. Florence fennel is the most popular form, grown for its thick, swollen stems, which are used as a vegetable in roasts and salads. Fennel can be grown year-round in most climates, although it is best to avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather. In this guide, we will explore the steps to grow fennel successfully in Australia, including soil preparation, planting, and harvesting techniques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Varieties | Florence fennel, bronze fennel, common fennel |
| Height | Florence fennel: up to 1m; bronze fennel: up to 2m |
| Plant type | Annual vegetable or biennial herb |
| Foliage | Feathery, dill-like foliage |
| Climate | Warm and cool temperate |
| Soil | Well-drained, enriched with compost or well-rotted manure |
| Position | Full sun |
| Flowering | Aromatic yellow flowers |
| Feeding | Not required |
| Watering | Regularly to keep the soil moist |
| Seed spacing | 20-25cm apart |
| Seed depth | Lightly covered with soil |
| Seed planting time | Spring or autumn; cooler months |
| Germination time | 7-14 days |
| Harvesting time | When bulbs are the size of a cricket ball or tennis ball |
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What You'll Learn
- Soil preparation: compost, fertiliser, and well-drained soil
- Planting: sow seeds directly, 20-25cm apart, in spring or autumn
- Watering: keep the soil moist, but not soggy
- Harvesting: bulbs are ready when the size of a tennis ball
- Common issues: avoid moisture stress, temperature changes, and planting with dill
Soil preparation: compost, fertiliser, and well-drained soil
Soil preparation is key to growing fennel successfully in Australia. Choose a sunny spot in your garden, ensuring the soil drains freely. Fennel grows best in full sun and requires at least six hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be well-drained and enriched with organic matter.
Before planting, prepare the soil by removing weeds, digging it over to loosen it, and adding aged animal manure or compost. You can also use a soil improver like Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver. Turn the bed over well to create a soft, friable surface for planting. If you are planting in a pot, choose a quality potting mix such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
Fennel thrives in soil that is moist but not soggy. Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, and use an organic mulch to help retain moisture. Avoid moisture stress and sudden temperature changes, as these can cause the plants to bolt.
Fennel seeds should be sown directly into the prepared soil, allowing a spacing of 20-25 cm between each seed. You can thin the seedlings as they grow to achieve the desired spacing. Re-sow seeds every 6-12 weeks for a continuous supply of fennel.
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Planting: sow seeds directly, 20-25cm apart, in spring or autumn
When planting fennel seeds in Australia, it's important to choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. You can grow fennel in a pot, but it's not typically recommended as fennel plants need a lot of space. If you do choose to plant in a pot, make sure it's at least 300mm wide and deep and fill it with a quality potting mix.
Fennel grows best from seeds sown directly into the ground where they will grow, in spring or autumn. If you're planting in rows, sow the seeds about 50cm apart and cover them lightly with soil. If you're not planting in rows, allow 20-25cm between each seed and cover them lightly with soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy while the seeds germinate, which will take 7-14 days.
If you're raising seedlings, it's best to use biodegradable pots and transplant them when they're young, as fennel doesn't like too much root disturbance. You can also plant one seedling in the middle of your pot and thin it to the strongest plant as it grows.
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Watering: keep the soil moist, but not soggy
Watering your fennel regularly is important, but it's also important not to overwater. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. This is especially important while the seeds are germinating, which will take 7-14 days. If you're growing your fennel in pots, make sure to choose a large pot with adequate drainage, as fennel doesn't like too much root disturbance.
To help conserve soil moisture, use an organic mulch. Keep the soil moist by watering regularly, but be careful not to overwater, as this can cause root rot and other issues. Fennel thrives in well-drained soil, so ensure your planting site has good drainage. Choose a sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
If you're growing fennel in a pot, use a quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for the mature plant. A minimum recommended size is 300mm wide and deep, but a larger size may be necessary, such as a minimum of 40 litres. You can also use biodegradable pots to transplant when young.
Fennel is a hardy plant that can tolerate some drought conditions once established. However, for optimal growth and flavourful bulbs, it's important to maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Fennel grows best in full sun positions and in cooler months. It can be grown year-round in most climates, but avoid planting during extreme weather, as this can affect germination and growth.
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Harvesting: bulbs are ready when the size of a tennis ball
When harvesting fennel, it is important to wait until the bulbs are the right size. You should aim for bulbs that are at least as big as a tennis ball, or a cricket ball as some sources suggest. You can, of course, harvest them when they are smaller, even as small as a golf ball, but this will result in younger bulbs that may need to be shaved finely for use in salads.
To harvest bulbs that are the size of a tennis ball, carefully dig them out of the soil or cut them off at the base with a sharp knife. Be sure to cut just above the root. If you are harvesting from a row, take care not to disturb the roots of nearby plants. Fennel leaves can also be cut and used as an herb, but only take a handful at a time, as the plant requires foliage for growth.
After applying fertiliser, wait a few days before harvesting, and always rinse well before cooking and eating. If you are using products to deal with pests, diseases, or weeds, be sure to read the instructions and wear suitable protective equipment.
Finally, it is worth noting that fennel is typically planted in spring in cooler regions and in autumn in warmer areas. It is best to avoid planting during extreme weather conditions, as this can negatively impact germination and growth.
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Common issues: avoid moisture stress, temperature changes, and planting with dill
Fennel is a beautiful herb with a strong, licorice-like flavour and a feathery, fern-like appearance that adds texture to your garden. It is a sun-loving plant that requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It is also sensitive to cold and frost, so it should be covered with a frost cloth or a floating row cover when temperatures drop. To avoid moisture stress, fennel should be watered regularly, receiving at least 1 inch of water per week, and more in hot weather. You can check if your plant needs watering by sticking your finger into the soil; if the top inch is dry, it's time to water. Fennel also prefers a well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and nutrients. Mix compost or fertiliser into the soil before planting to improve drainage and fertility.
When it comes to temperature changes, fennel has a limited temperature range and prefers daytime temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. It can tolerate light frosts but needs protection when young. In addition to covering your plants when temperatures drop, you can also protect them from extreme temperature changes by providing good air circulation and ensuring they are not crowded.
Fennel is a unique plant in that it doesn't have many companion plants. In fact, it is known to attract pests like the parsley worm, which can be hand-picked from the plant to prevent damage. However, one plant that fennel should not be planted with is dill. While some sources suggest that fennel can help keep swallowtail caterpillars off dill plants, it is generally recommended to keep these two plants separate.
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