[Spr0ut]

Unless I'm mistaken (I often am) - be careful to plant it on its own as it has chemicals it puts out of the roots to deal with any competing plants.

[Annen]

The only time I have successfully grown fennel was the first time and I sowed a row and then forgot all about it.  They were masked by surrounding weeds until I suddenly came across this nice surprise of fully fledged fennel bulbs.  I've never managed any since, they have gone to seed very early both times.

[Benandbill]

It is now starting to get tall.  I can't tell whether this is meant to happen or if it's bolting, and tbh, I still don't know if it's bulb or herb variety.  I pulled the tallest one up which was about 3 ft, but the bulb was still pretty small and I couldn't help feeling I was wasting them when I was ripping off the long furry shoots and composting them?

[snowdrops]

Sounds like it is the herb one

[surbie100]

It is now starting to get tall.  I can't tell whether this is meant to happen or if it's bolting, and tbh, I still don't know if it's bulb or herb variety.  I pulled the tallest one up which was about 3 ft, but the bulb was still pretty small and I couldn't help feeling I was wasting them when I was ripping off the long furry shoots and composting them?

Sorry to disagree Snowy, but I think it's the bulb one and it's bolted. Mine got to 6ft when they bolted before.

Benandbill, it is a cool season crop, so likes Spring and Autumn to bulb up. It will quickly bolt in summer. If you sow some now you should have bulbs in Oct/Nov. Autumn sowings give bigger bulbs apparently, though I've not noticed much difference!

You can still eat the shoots in salad, or to add to sauces/flavour chicken or fish. And the steeped flowers make fennel tea, which is tasty and v. good for you. 

[snowdrops]

That's ok I'll stand corrected

[brokenglass]

I put the seeds into two places on the Plot.   One site is flourishing and producing bulbs the other looks more like it has been attacked by Carrot Fly, bronzing of the leaves stunted etc.      Does the fly attack Fennel?  I have been told it does by some and no it doesn't by others.

[JayG]

Carrot fly will target any member of the family Umbelliferae, which includes Fennel unfortunately.

I've just sown some Florence Fennel, as I do most years because I really like the stuff, although results have always varied between almost and completely useless!

[compostqueen]

The variety FINOCCHIO DI NAPOLI is a bulbing fennel and it's supposedly a giant variety! 

Which variety are you sowing now JayG?

I love the stuff! It's my fave veg so I was gutted when my first two sowings came up blank.  A third sowing is now doing really well and I have lots of lovely foot tall plants, and my final sowings have also got off the ground

I got a variety supposedly more bolt resistant but even so I wouldn't sow it in hot conditions.

[JayG]

It's called Sirio (from Suttons) CQ.

Bit late really given that the packet states 14-16 weeks from sowing to harvesting, but at least they shouldn't have time to bolt! 

[compostqueen]

Ooooh not heard of that one!  I've got one from Real Seeds and was gutted when nothing showed. We got torrential rain the day after sowing so I think that's what the problem of lack of germination was.  They either washed away or didn't get through the hard pan which seemed to form on top of the soil after the downpour.  If that happens again I'll have to rake it over lightly to give them a chance.  I've got a small raised bed full mind you so quite happy with that as they'll make a good size before harvest. 

The fronds and stalks don't need composting! You can use them as stock veg. Delicious!!!!  Hoik them out your dish before serving. Job's a good un

[marcofez]

Love growing and eating Fennel.
It usually bulbs up in the autumn and can be ready for around nov/dec. I try to have some for Christmas time!!!

[marcofez]

Ready for Christmas even!

[SusieB]

I have tried several times to grow bulb fennel.  Never even get seedlings.  I'm presuming it's slugs.  I usually start things in modules to get round the slug problem, I don't think you can do this with fennel, is this correct?

[AnneB]

I usually start things in modules to get round the slug problem, I don't think you can do this with fennel, is this correct?

I always start mine in modules and they are always fine.