Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ●
Fertile, well drained soil.
A sunny spot where fennel’s tall branches will not cause unwanted shade.
A short-lived hardy perennial, fennel will survive winter temperatures to 0F/-17C.
Not usually required.
Cosmos. Cucumber, squash, melons, pumpkin and other low, vining plants.
Single Plants: 1' 1" (35cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum)
Start seeds indoors in early spring, or plant them outdoors while the weather is still cool.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Fennel flowers attract numerous small beneficial insects.
Gather fennel fronds as you need them in the kitchen. Fennel can reseed to the point of weediness. Gathering and using the blooms as cut flowers will prevent excessive reseeding.
Prune back fennel plants in mid fall, before cold weather turns the plants to mush.
Crop Rotation Group Brassicas (Cabbage family) ● Soil Rich, moist soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in. Position Full sun. Frost tolerant Yes. Feeding Mix composted manure or another high-nitrogen compost into the soil before planting. When heads begin to form, feed with a liquid plant food. Companions Oregano, Tomato, Celery, Dill, Sage and Mint. Spacing Single Plants: 1 7" (50cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1 5" (45cm) wit
Crop Rotation Group Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ● Soil Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost dug in. Position Full sun. Frost tolerant Tolerates frost, but is injured by hard freezes. Feeding Feed monthly with a liquid organic fertilizer. Companions Lettuce, Spinach and Peas. Spacing Single Plants: 1 1" (35cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow seeds 6 i
Crop Rotation Group Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ● Soil Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost dug in before planting. Position Shade or partial afternoon shade. Frost tolerant Light frost only, damaged by hard freezes. Feeding Liquid feed every two weeks throughout the season. Companions Chives, Garlic, Nasturtium, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Tomato and Tansy. Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 5"
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Fertile, well-drained soil. Position Full sun. Frost tolerant None. Celosia cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Feeding Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth. Companions Crowder Peas and Gomphrena. Dwarf types with upright plumes provide great contrast in form when mixed with flowe