Crop Rotation Group
Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family)
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Soil
Rich, well drained soil generously amended with compost. In clay soil, use raised beds.
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Position
Full sun.
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Frost tolerant
Seedlings are frost tender, but mature plants tolerate light frost.
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Feeding
Feed every 3 weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer, and use a rich, biodegradable mulch such as grass clippings.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9" (25cm) with 1' 1" (35cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Start seeds indoors, or sow in shallow furrows filled with potting soil. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are 3 weeks old. Chop the pulled seedlings into salads.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
When the bulb is the size of an egg, surround it with 6 inches of loose mulch to help it plump up.
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Harvesting
Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. When the bulbs reach 3 inches in diameter, pull them and store in the refrigerator.
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Troubleshooting
Grows best in cool weather. In some climates, fennel grows better in fall than in spring.
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