Fennel - Cultivation
Fennel is both a vegetable and an herb and is classified into two varieties, Bulb fennel and Herb fennel. Both varieties grow best in cool weather with full sun and need fertile, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil. Fennel should be consistently watered to retain moisture in the soil and occasionally fertilized to replenish nutrients. As the plants grow, periodically trimming back the leaves will help promote a larger and healthier harvest. Fennel can be planted from seed and is sown 2-5 weeks before the last frost in the spring. Bulb fennel is ready for harvest 80-115 days after planting, and Herb fennel will flower approximately 90 days after planting.