Harvest Times for Fennel Bulbs

Planting

• Fennel propagates easily by seed. It is a cool-weather crop, so if you live in a place with warm summers, you may want to wait until July or August to plant. If you planted in the spring and your fennel went to seed before the bulb was ready, your summers are too hot for spring planting. Typically fennel bulbs are planted in late summer and harvested in fall through early winter.

Cultivation

• Fertilizer and water are critical for bulb development. Water frequently until the first leaves appear and make sure you're watering thoroughly in hot weather. An application of fertilizer during growth will aid in bulb formation. Plants should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart and rows 18 inches apart to account for the plant's spreading canopy. Florence fennel grows best in full sun and rich soil.

Harvesting

• According to the University of California website, to keep fennel bulbs white you'll want to mound dirt around them when they get about the size on an egg. After you mound up the dirt, give the bulb a additional two to three weeks until harvest. Unlike many other herbs, fennel can be harvested after it as gone to seed. According to Washington State University, fennel planted in July can be harvested until November. In cooler climates, this spicy herb can actually be grown and harvested year-round.

Uses

• Fennel bulb is a versatile vegetable. It can be used in salads, just cut it up and toss it in. It pairs well with blue-cheese dressing. Serve it caramelized as a Thanksgiving side dish. The University of California recommends serving it raw with sea salt and dipped in olive oil. It can also be stir-fried or added to sauces. Use the leaves in salads and harvest the seeds for use in teas and in cooking.