[cheshirecheese]

I've tried unsuccessfully for the last two years to grow fennel (the bulb, not the herb - I find that grows like the clappers in my herb garden and self-sets all over the place!).  The first year I sowed the seeds straight into a prepared raised bed, then last year I sowed them in plugs in the greenhouse and then put them into a similar raised bed when the weather was warm enough... neither method worked.  I wondered whether it was the variety I'd used, because although the seeds germinated ok, they produced long, thin, finger-like tap roots rather like a very skinny parsnip instead of globe-shaped bulbs.  I therefore asked a local nursery specialising in herbs and vegetable plugs whether they had any fennel for sale, but they said they didn't transplant well so they didn't bother.  Has anyone any tips (a) for variety and (b) for technique/method?  I use it a lot in the kitchen, and begrudge paying Sainsbury's and Tesco the exorbitant prices they charge for often ancient-looking bulbs!   

[JayG]

I too am very accomplished at growing rubbish Florence Fennel (turns out like aniseed-flavoured, very tough, sticks of celery, usually having bolted first!)

Best effort was last year having read somewhere that they readily bolt rather than bulb if subjected to the heat of high summer (   )

I therefore sowed mine direct in late August in a slightly shaded part of the garden and just before the frosts knocked them over I had some quite useable if undersized plants.

This year I shall probably try sowing in early August to see if I can hit the jackpot, but I have to say that in my book they are not the easiest thing to grow well!

[cheshirecheese]

Thanks for that - I'm glad it's not just me!  I'll give that a go (i.e. sowing it in the summer rather than the spring) and see how that works.  If you read the seed catalogues, it looks like you just chuck them in the ground and produce prize winning bulbs in no time at all and with little effort!

[Kristen]

I too am very accomplished at growing rubbish Florence Fennel

Me too

Christopher Lloyd wrote that he made several sowings during the Summer so that some-will-bolt and hopefully some-will-not.  Plenty of organic matter, and irrigate well.

I'm too idle to do a good enough job I reckon but I shall try again this year.

[savbo]

I managed to get a lot germinated (Seeds of Italy ones) but by the time I'd cleared space for them in mid-summer only three were left - and these thrived for a few months without bulbing up at all...

[radiohead]

Two years of allotmenting now and both have produced amazingly good FF....(sorry )....seed sown direct in june/july and regular watering...(I think the latter is the secret)

[Jonajo]

yes sowing around that time in summer is pretty fail-safe, along with watering.

The ones I sow early on (earliest stated on packets) do bolt for me more often than not but planting around  July has resulted in very good crop each time. THis year I will abandon the early sowing and instead opt for later sowing.

And so yummy they are too when sliced into a potato dauphinoise....

[cheshirecheese]

Thanks for these responses - it seems from reading them that summer sowing is definitely more successful.  As for watering, we have a timed irrigation system that waters the veg garden thoroughly every morning and evening, so I don't think that's been the problem.  However, I will ensure that the soil remains moist at all times and see how we go this time ... third time lucky, or I shan't bother again!!   

[Kristen]

we have a timed irrigation system that waters the veg garden thoroughly every morning and evening,

Sounds too often to me?

I aim for a thorough watering and then nothing for a while (a week in dry weather, half-a-week in very dry weather maybe), otherwise the crops only grow surface roots, where the water is, which are then subjected to the sun drying the top couple of cm - whereas plants that have been encouraged to get their roots down can take advantage of the water that is not in the top layer and don't get the same drying-out effect.

[Hampshire Hog]

You are not alone I have tried growing fennel bulbs but they seem to run to seed very quickly. I have read that the secret is to not start them off too early. I have also read that transplanting isn't clever though I have seen strips of seedlings in garden centres.
Hope you do better this year

Cheers HH

[Christine]

I don't get it to bulb out but I do manage to pick it when it tastes of fennel - even if it doesn't look like the accepted fennel.

[pink aubergine]

I grow an early crop in spring and then a late summer one, just in case we are hit with a heat wave I keep some shade netting handy, scaffolding netting is a cheap alternative. But yes it all depends on the heat. i grew in shade of runner beans lasst year and did well.
Best of luck!

[chimaera]

I've done them twice now and found them really easy. Sowed mid June (apparently they should germinate after the longest day to prevent bolting) and planted out late Summer. A few bolted but by Oct they are really good. Unfortunately this year they were just getting to their very best when early frost wiped them out.
Charlie

[JayG]

Interesting thread! 

My latest compromise has now moved to sowing in mid July but if it carries on like this I'm going to have to get some sown before I go to bed tonight!