florence fennel

[hamsterqueen]

Has anybody grown this?

Was it succesful?

I am still recovering from the cost of buying one tidgy bulb of fennel and wondered if I could grow it myself

[tootles]

I currently have a row swelling as I type!
I hope it will work, they are still quite small, but a lovely old lady nearby is keeping me in check with them!! (apparently I MUST earth them up at the end of next week). So far so good.......
(will let you know if they are a complete disaster)

[Cutecumber]

They are not one of the easiest crops, but worth the effort in my opinion.

They need warmth, shelter and good rich soil or compost that will stay moist. They hate root disturbance and sudden temperature changes.

I grow them every year - just half a dozen usually - and really keep my eye on them. Usually, I get some reasonable bulbs. They have a tendency to bolt just before you are thinking of harvesting them!!

Sow in modules and transplant to their growing position without delay.

Grow them quickly - no languishing in their cells for too long.

Give it a go - they are beautiful plants if nothing else!

[realfood]

I grow them every year and do not find them too difficult, provided that you keep them well watered to prevent them bolting.

[TinyT]

This is my first time trying them, they appear to be growing okay so far. I started them off covered around April, and then watered them occasionally to keep them moist. They don't seem to need too much care. The feathers on the top of the plant are pretty.

[hamsterqueen]

Thanks I will definitely try!!

We have herb fennel growing everywhere here, it's like a weed. We are extremely close to the sea (on a cliff in fact) very handy for fish.......

[TinyT]

Yes! I hear the aniseedy flavour is also nice in a tea.

[hamsterqueen]

I'd forgotten fennel tea!

When my daughter was little i used to make her some fennel tea for colic

[smallblueplanet]

We've grown fennel 'zefa tardo' successfully, but it does want to bolt when the weather is too warm, so start it in spring or after the heat of summer (ha! chance'd be a fine thing!).

[goddess]

i got 6 plants from garden centre few weeks ago and put them n the plot.they look very healthy and swelling up nicely.when u say earthing how much do u mean,is it the whole bulb?my other question is can i sow more now or is it too late/

[stv]

I know that the florence fennel should be earthed up, but can it be earthed with well rotted horse manure?