Description
Florence Fennel Seeds 3055. Heirloom Herb.
Approx. 175 seeds/pkt (280 seeds/gram)
Florence Fennel is a unique heirloom herb grown primarily for its thick, succulent, bulbous base. It offers a pleasing, mild anise (liquorice-like) flavour that is absolutely superb when sliced raw into salads or braised and served with chicken and fish dishes. Above the crisp bulb, delicate, lacy foliage reaches a height of 75 cm, providing an irresistible aroma that many gardeners find appeals even to young children.
This variety is grown as an annual and is a dual-purpose plant, providing both a gourmet vegetable “bulb” and feathery herb fronds for garnishing.
Quick Seed Details
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Type: Heirloom Annual Herb
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Height: 75 cm
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Flavour: Mild, sweet anise
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Uses: Raw salads, roasting, grilling, and leaf garnish
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Companion Planting Note: Fennel is best planted in its own space, as it may inhibit the growth of beans and tomatoes if their root systems intermingle.
Ecological Benefits
Fennel is a powerhouse for the “beneficial garden.” Much like dill, its umbrella-shaped flower clusters attract a wide range of beneficial insects, including predatory wasps and ladybugs, which help manage pests naturally. It is also a vital host plant for the caterpillars of the Black Swallowtail butterfly.
What you need to know to Plant & Grow
While fennel can be started indoors, it has a sensitive taproot and generally performs best when sown directly in the garden.
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Sow Outdoors: Direct sow into a sunny site with average, well-drained soil in mid-to-late May once the soil has warmed.
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Sow Indoors (Optional): Start in a soilless mix 8 weeks before the last frost. Maintain 21°C for the 10–14 day germination period. Harden off carefully before transplanting.
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Planting Depth: Sow seeds 3 mm deep.
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Spacing: Sow seeds 2.5 cm apart, then thin the seedlings to 25–30 cm apart to allow the base of the plant room to swell and form a large bulb.
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Care: Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the plant from bolting (flowering prematurely), which can make the bulb tough and bitter.
Why Florence Fennel Seeds belong in Your Garden
Florence Fennel is the perfect choice for the adventurous home chef. It bridges the gap between a vegetable and an aromatic herb, offering a unique texture and sweetness that is hard to find at peak freshness in grocery stores. Whether you are planting it to support local butterflies or to maximize your culinary palette, Florence Fennel is a rewarding and beautiful addition to any sunny garden bed.
