Fennel

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant fennel.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors (spring/fall) Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) Plant spacing # plants per person
Fennel 3a Not recommended April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 2 feet 2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 3b Not recommended April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 4a Not recommended April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 4b Not recommended April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 5a Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 5b Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 6a Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 6b Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 7a Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 7b Not recommended March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 8a Not recommended Feb. 15-March 1 On/around March 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 8b Not recommended Feb. 15-March 1 On/around March 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 9a Not recommended Feb. 15-March 1 On/around Feb. 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 9b Not recommended Feb. 15-March 1 On/around Feb. 15 (after last frost) 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 10a Not recommended Feb. 15-May 15 Feb. 15-May 15 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 10b Not recommended Feb. 15-May 15 Feb. 15-May 15 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 11a Not recommended Oct. 15-May 15 Oct. 15-May 15 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)
Fennel 11b Not recommended Oct. 15-May 15 Oct. 15-May 15 2 feet
2-4 for roasting and seasoning (more for preserving)

* Fennel will tolerate a light frost, but this Mediterranean plant prefers the heat. Because of its complex root system, starting from seeds at home is not recommended. Direct sow seeds 2-4 weeks before the last frost, or plant store-bought seedlings after the threat of frost has passed.