The plants dislike root disturbance. The easiest way to harvest fennel seeds is to shake the seed heads over a sheet or tarp to collect the seeds. Snip tender young leaves as needed in the kitchen. Both are perennials down to Zone 6 (winter lows down to -10°F) and possibly down into Zone 5, where winter temps drop all the way to -20°F. Choose bolt-resistant varieties, as Florence fennel is very prone to bolting, particularly when sown early in the season. This foliage can be chopped and added to recipes, or brewed into an anise-like tea. Cooler-climate gardeners can direct-sow seed into the garden and harvest at the beginning of summer; soaking seed for several days improves germination. You know they are ready to harvest when they turn from green to brown. As Florence fennel develops, the stem grows fat and round until it is about the size of a tennis ball. In my family, this vegetable has always been a holiday treat known by its Italian name, “finocchio.” Save W… Harvest bulbs that are between 2 and 3 inches in diameter. I have had most success with 'Colossal' from Real Seeds, which produces large, pale greeny-white bulbs with a good strong flavour, and 'Romanesco', a well-known Italian cultivar, again with large bulbs and a sweet, aromatic flavour. Troubleshooting. It thrives on warm, moist, fertile, sandy soils. Let the seeds dry well before storing them in a cool, dark place. See some of the tasty recipes using Florence fennel, from our friends at Olive Magazine. The feathery stalks can reach heights of 8 feet creating butterfly habitat and backdrop for shorter plants. Troubleshooting. Store the bag in a dry place for a couple of days to a week until all the moisture is gone from the seed heads. Fennel bulbs take about 12 to 14 weeks from seed to harvest and depend on cool weather for bulb development. Even the seeds can be used if your plants have bolted. Remove fennel stems from just … The fennel you eat - you should be able to see the bulb above the soil, once it gets to a size you think you want to eat it, cut it level with the soil, then you should get some shoots off whats left to eat too, but they won't form new bulbs. Give plants a boost every couple of weeks with a high potash feed. We show you how to grow Florence fennel, in this start-to-finish Grow Guide. You will want to cut fennel early in the harvest season to help make sure it continues to grow in a bushy fashion. Planting out Fennel Seedlings Here’s how to harvest them properly. How and What to Harvest. Later in the season, you can sow directly into well-prepared, warm soil. You know they are ready to harvest when they turn from green to brown. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for several days. Follow the expert advice in this guide to grow your own Florence fennel. When it comes to which part of the plant to harvest, the choice is yours. Harvesting Fennel Bulb: Harvest fennel stalks when they are almost ready to flower. Sow one seed per module, as the seedlings don’t like having their roots disturbed when transplanted. This usually occurs in late summer, but keep an eye on them to ensure you harvest them as soon as they are ready. Sow seeds early in the season and cover with 1/4" of soil. Save There are two types of sweet fennel. Fennel seeds should be harvested as soon as they turn from green to brown on the stalk. iPhone Photos by Sarah Lonsdale. Cut the bulb above the soil, but leave the root in the ground. During late fall the plant will die back and the leaves will brown. Cut the bulb above the soil, but leave the root in the ground. Fennel imparts its aniseed flavour to many fish dishes, chicken recipes, stuffings and salads, and is available as either a herb (herb fennel) or a bulb-like vegetable (Florence fennel). 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