Soil
Rich, well drained soil generously amended with compost. In clay soil, use raised beds.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Seedlings are frost tender, but mature plants tolerate light frost.
Feeding
Feed every 3 weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer, and use a rich, biodegradable mulch such as grass clippings.
Companions
Mint.
Spacing
Single Plants: 11″ (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9″ (25cm) with 1′ 1″ (35cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Start seeds indoors, or sow in shallow furrows filled with potting soil. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are 3 weeks old. Chop the pulled seedlings into salads.
Notes
When the bulb is the size of an egg, surround it with 6 inches of loose mulch to help it plump up.
Harvesting
Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. When the bulbs reach 3 inches in diameter, pull them and store in the refrigerator.
Troubleshooting
Grows best in cool weather. In some climates, fennel grows better in fall than in spring.