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Bulb Fennel

tigerburnietigerburnie Posts: 131
in Fruit & veg

Hi all, my late father always tried to grow something different each year and I have carried this on. This year I'm trying Bulb Fennel, seeds planted under cover and waiting for shoots to appear. Any tips from anyone who grows this please.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    I grow this most years but now buy plugs rather than sow from seed.   I plant them in rows a trowel length apart so I can get my hoe in to deal with weeds.   They like full sun and good soil and plenty of water to swell the bulbs.

    I grow mine in raised beds that have had plenty of compost worked in over the years and I always scatter pelleted chicken manure before planting.

    If you're lucky, and not too far north, you may get swallowtail caterpillars which are very civilised and only eat the green fronds without damaging the bulbs.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Stuart RStuart R Posts: 42

    Having grown Florence fennel the past few years I've found that direct sowing into rich, free draining soil around May produces nice bulbs by late July/August depending on weather! In my experience transplants are much more likely to bolt, producing almost inedible plants (although still good if braised, if a little fibrous). My best plants are always those sown after midsummer for harvesting when the weather turns colder :)

  • tigerburnietigerburnie Posts: 131

    Thanks all, I am growing them(hopefully) under plastic, so this should give them some extra warmth as NE Scotland is not exactly known for heat or sadly Swallowtail butterflies

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    I took to growing plugs as direct sown results were so patchy given the vagaries of spring weather here.   They generally do well as long as I water during hot or dry spells and the taste of a freshly picked bulb is so superior to shop bought whether eaten raw or cooked.

    I hope yours do well for you.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • tigerburnietigerburnie Posts: 131

    Thanks Obelixx, I have sown direct in the ground this year to see how it goes, I have some seed left, just hope it will be viable for next year too.

    aym280, it says on the packet of seed I have to sow in May/June, so why not try some.

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