Sweet Fennel (Florence) Heirloom Seeds

Florence fennel grows a swollen base with a mild licorice flavor. Slice it into salads or roast it with supper. The leafy tops can season food, too.

Packet: 50+ seeds

Planting at a glance

• Season: Cool season
• Start: Direct sow, or transplant young seedlings without disturbing roots
• Seed depth: ¼ inch
• Germination: Usually about 7–14 days in mild conditions
• Final spacing: Thin to about 6 inches
• Light: Full sun
• Harvest planning: Harvest when the swollen stem base becomes plump; flowering can interrupt bulb formation

When to plant

Plant during your local cool growing season. In colder regions, use spring or late-summer/fall sowings and allow enough growing time before hard freezes. Avoid stressful heat; in many areas a late-summer sowing suits a fall crop.

How to plant

1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow, or transplant young seedlings without disturbing roots.
2. Sow ¼ inch deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Cut the swollen base while tender, before a flower stalk develops. Use leafy tops sparingly if you also want the base to enlarge.

Aunt E’s tip: Florence fennel is grown for a swollen base; it needs more room than a dense herb row.