Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in March.
Growing Calendar
This month: Oct
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Watch Out For
Self-seeds very readily once established: deadhead spent flowers if you don't want seedlings appearing throughout the bed
Grown too close to dill, the two will cross-pollinate and both can lose their true flavour and seed viability: keep them well apart
Slugs can strip young seedlings before they establish: protect with a barrier or nematodes until plants are a few centimetres tall
Common Questions
About growing Fennel in the UK
What's the difference between fennel and Florence fennel?
They're the same species, grown differently. Herb fennel (this entry) is grown for its feathery leaves and aniseed-flavoured seeds. Florence fennel is grown for its swollen, edible bulb-like stem base, and needs a different growing approach entirely, see the separate Florence Fennel guide.
Why is my fennel taking over the garden?
Fennel self-seeds very readily once established. Deadhead flowerheads before they set seed if you want to keep it contained, or accept the odd seedling and remove unwanted ones while small.
Can I grow fennel and dill together?
It's best avoided. Fennel and dill cross-pollinate if grown near each other, which can affect the flavour and seed-saving reliability of both. Keep them at opposite ends of the garden if you're growing both.
Does fennel come back every year?
Yes, herb fennel is a hardy perennial in most of the UK. Top growth dies back after the first frosts and resprouts from the base the following spring.
Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach
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