Fennel Bolted

[Andee]

Over the past few weeks our fennel has bolted. What I would like to know is, is the plant still viable or is it best confined to the compost heap. This is the first year growing fennel so we haven't have much experience growing it.

[hamamelis]

I presume you mean Florence fennel, not herb type?

There's nothing you can do to save Florence fennel when it's bolted; you can use the leaves like the herb if you feel like it, but otherwise it's compost, it'll never fatten up like it should do once it starts bolting.

[Mr Bones]

Over the past few weeks our fennel has bolted.

Mine too, never have much luck with fennel. Smells great though when it's chopped into the compost.

[bario1]

I stopped growing it because it always bolts - I think you need boggy soil to keep it happy?

[Andee]

Thank you for your replies. Looks like more content for the compost heap

[Penellype]

Apparently florence fennel bolts when it is too dry, too wet, too hot or too cold. Its obviously fussy. Having managed to grow surprisingly good bulbs last year I was wondering what all the fuss was about. This year 1 of my 3 has bolted and another looks like following it. Probably too hot.

[Andee]

Out of 6 plants 1 hasn't bolted, the rest have now been chopped up and on the compost pile.

The remaining plant is in a very sunny area with very free draining soil that drys out very quickly. Will look at mulching the remaining plant tomorrow. Hopefully it won't bolt.

[burnie]

My fennels done the same, I have eaten the soft centre from them stems raw like sweeties in small quantities, I'm thinking it would make a sorbet, but no idea of quantities.

[MarkPelican]

Only once have I every been successful with florence fennel (why I keep trying I'm not quite sure. But it needs to be kept just damp I believe. Once its gone, its gone - compost.