Florence fennel advice

[jackyspratty]

hello all

Is any one experienced in fennel bulb? I have read its no good to transplant it as it starts to bolt, and also it is a bad companion plant to everything!!

We have some from a council nursary that were in modules so I transplanted them and want to put them in a raised bed......but now I don't know what to do!

Never had any success really when Ive tried them from seed either!

Any tips, experience gladly taken

[Florence Fennel]

I grew some cracking fennel last year JS. Just treated it like any other veg. Sowed seed into modules, pricked out and potted on as appropriate and then into the soil. I had no specific space, so popped them in randomly next to bras and roots where I could. I even put a couple in the flower border under an apple tree. They all thrived, though were quick to bolt as I had sowed them what turned out to be a little early. I'm waiting for another couple of weeks before I sow some. They look brilliant and smell divine and you get the added bonus of fennel seed if you want it. Good luck

[jackyspratty]

Great, that's what I've done too! But Id read so many times that fennel bulb does not like to be transplanted, then I read it effectively kills a lot of other plants! Thanks for reassuring me! I love the stuff! Although I am doing an experiment as well, some early sown and some I will sow on Midsummers day.

Cheers me dear xx

[vegnut]

I wonder if it will kill couch grass I'd go round all the edges with it.!!

I have only grown it once and did well with it, but I did sow it in late july and had no bolting. That's the only info I can give. Hope it helps.

[salome2001]

I just planted some from the garden centre (12 plugs reduced to 50p, figured I could give it a go). They are about 10-15 cm high now. I was planning to grow them in the same raised bed as celeriac- now i'm worried about the companion planting thing... should I be ok?

[ancee]

Florence Fennel when they start to appear do they look like two blades of grass and a wiffly little bit in the middle? I put some in and something is sprouting, but it could be anything!

[ancee]

Salome, I just looked in my companion planting book and it says fennel is a bad companion for Beans, tomatoes, kohlrabi, coriander and wormwood. It likes being near dill and also coriander! - so I have no idea if it's going to get on with coriander or not - just don't put it near coriander and it'll be ok!! what a daft book!

[ancee]

Also, interestingly, it's good for dogs as it deters fleas. But I have no idea if it's herb fennel or bulb fennel, this book needs to be updated I fear