FENNEL - FLORENCE FINO

  Organic Fennel Florence Fino

             

Fennel Fino is a premium variety of Florence fennel originating from the Netherlands, celebrated for its sweet, aniseed flavour and superior texture. Unlike other varieties, Fino retains its tender, crisp consistency even in warmer conditions, thanks to its excellent heat tolerance. Its bulbs remain firm and well-filled in the ground, giving growers ample time to harvest before bolting.

This early-maturing variety is perfect for spring sowing, with a harvest season beginning in mid-June. For an extended yield, successive sowings can be made until July for autumn harvesting. Fino produces high-quality, slightly flattened bulbs accompanied by feathery foliage, which can be used as a flavourful herb or garnish. The plants grow to a height of 75 cm (30 in) with a spread of 45 cm (18 in), making them a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. 

PLANTING & GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  

The best times to sow Florence fennel are early spring (February to April) and mid-summer (June to July), allowing the plants to mature during cooler autumn weather. While seeds can be started indoors and transplanted, direct sowing is often preferred since fennel’s taproots are sensitive to disturbance, which may cause bolting. Seeds germinate in temperatures ranging from 10–30°C (50–86°F). For container growing, use a minimum 5-gallon container filled with highly fertile, consistently moist soil.

To direct sow, plant seeds as soon as the ground is workable in spring or in early summer. Space seeds 5 cm (2 in) apart and sow them 6 mm (¼ in) deep in rows 45 cm (18 in) apart, covering lightly with soil. Once seedlings reach 5 cm (2 in) in height, thin them to 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart, leaving 60–100 cm (24–36 in) between rows, as fennel is a heavy feeder and requires ample space to grow.

Water fennel during dry periods, providing deep irrigation once or twice a week, and apply a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. For natural propagation, allow one plant to go to seed, eliminating the need to replant fennel for a few years.

Fennel is ready for harvest approximately 90 days after sowing. Leaves can be harvested at any time, while bulbs should be picked when they reach the size of a tennis ball or larger, typically from July to September. For continued growth, pull every other plant to give remaining bulbs more room to grow. After cutting, fennel bulbs often regrow from the roots left in the soil.

Do not pull plants before the first frost; fennel is extremely hardy and continues to thrive even after multiple frosts. This resilience ensures a prolonged and productive harvest season.

You should not plant fennel in the same spot for at least two years because of its allelopathic nature, meaning it can release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants in the same area; this includes most vegetables, especially members of the carrot family like carrots, parsnips, and celery which are often recommended to be planted near fennel.

The best companion plant for fennel is peas, as they can tolerate fennel's vigorous growth and benefit from its natural ability to deter pests. Other good companions include lettuce, cucumber, and sage, which thrive alongside fennel without competition. However, avoid pairing fennel with tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, as these plants are negatively affected by fennel's growth habits and may struggle to thrive.