How to grow Florence fennel in a raised bed

Florence fennel is grown for its crisp, aniseed-flavoured bulb — lovely raw in salads or roasted until sweet. It needs cool, steady growing to bulb up well, which a raised bed makes easy to manage.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 12–14 weeks

When should I plant Florence fennel?

Florence fennel bulbs best in the cool — sow from late summer through autumn. Heat and stress make it bolt before it forms a bulb. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): February to May
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): January to April and September to October
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): November to February
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): April to June
• Arid inland: February to April and August to September

How do I grow Florence fennel in a raised bed?

Sow directly, as it dislikes transplanting, and keep growth steady — any check makes it run to seed. Mound a little mix around the swelling bulb to blanch it sweeter.

How often should I water and feed Florence fennel?

Keep the mix consistently moist — irregular water is the main cause of bolting and stringy bulbs.

What pests attack Florence fennel?

Keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect Florence fennel?

The main ones are powdery mildew. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with Florence fennel?

Fennel is best grown apart from other vegetables, which it can inhibit; give it its own corner. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest Florence fennel?

Harvest once the bulb is fist-sized, cutting it at the base. The ferny tops are a useful herb too. Use the bulb fresh.

More growing guides: dill, celery and horseradish.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Kolforn (Kolforn), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.