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(Best months for planting Florence Fennel in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

• Easy to grow.
• Harvest in 98-140 days
• Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C.
• Space plants: 15cm - 30cm

This is a perennial grown as an annual as the stems become more fibrous with age. Both seeds and leaves have a mild aniseed flavour. With its feathery leaves it makes a good background plant in a border. Grows to approx 1.5m (5ft)

Fennel prefers well-drained fertile soil.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Florence Fennel

The swollen base of the stem is used.

Slice and steam/stir-fry the bulb, or use raw/grated in salads. Can be cooked and served with sauces or butter.

Your comments and tips

16 Jul 09 Kathy (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I live in Auckland. Where can I buy fennel late July?

15 Aug 09 Stuart (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Kings plant barn sell the seeds of both the Romanesco and Milano varieties. I got some today.

12 Dec 09 Catherine Sampson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Fennel grows well from seed. Large feathery tops but bulbs don't swell. End up with slim but edible bulbs? but they are nothing like the fennel that one can occasionally buy. Can someone advise please.

29 Jan 10 tony (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Can you eat the root and if so how? It looks just like parsnip,

09 Mar 10 mark (New Zealand - temperate climate)

hi where can i buy fennel bulbs or seed in the waikato area

18 Apr 10 Alicia Warren (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

You can buy Florence fennel seeds mail order from Kings Seeds www.kingsseeds.co.nz. They have 3 types to choose from. Or you can go to a garden shop, many of the good ones stock Kings Seeds or you may find Florence fennels in other seed brands.

21 Oct 10 Barbara (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Where can I buy baby fennel plants or seeds?

29 Oct 10 Ingrid (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Barbara You can buy fennel seeds from kings Seeds at www.kingsseeds.co.nz

08 Nov 10 anna (New Zealand - temperate climate)

What is a good companion plant for florence fennel?

08 Feb 11 cushla (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

i have grown florence fennel in Manaia all year round with success. it bulbs up in oct , nov but smaller through thre summer.