Herb / Warm season

Florence Fennel

Bulb fennel beds and pollinator plantings if allowed to flower.

Anise-scented bulb, fronds, flowers, and seed.

Seed spacing and maturity

Days to maturity
80
Germination temperature
60-80F
Seed depth
0.25 inches
Spacing
12 inches
Row spacing
18 inches
Start method
Either

Frost-date timing

Indoor start
4 weeks before last frost
Direct sow
7 days after last frost
Transplant
7 days after last frost
Fall planting
10 weeks before first frost
Succession interval
repeat every 21 days

Action plan

Can I plant this now?
Use your local last-frost, first-frost, and soil-temperature checks before treating this crop as plantable today.
Start indoors or direct sow?
Direct sow or transplant depending on your soil warmth, bed readiness, and frost-risk plan.
How much space?
12 inches in-row spacing, 18 inches between rows, and 0.25 inch seed depth.
Best companions?
Use this as part of a diverse flowering or herb planting, and treat companion claims as site-specific rather than guaranteed pest control.
Common failure modes?
Transplant gently; root disturbance and heat can trigger bolting. Even water supports bulb swelling and reduces stress bolting. Fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.

Growing profile

Sun
Full sun
Water
Even water supports bulb swelling and reduces stress bolting.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
Watch
Transplant gently; root disturbance and heat can trigger bolting.
  • herb
  • bulb
  • pollinators
  • containers

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Related varieties

Source: CSU vegetable planting guide