PlotPal

Fennel (Bulb)

Fennel (Bulb) is listed botanically as Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum. Cool-season vegetable fennel selected for a swollen, crisp stem base with a sweet anise-like flavor. Florence fennel grows best when heat, drought, and transplant stress are minimized. PlotPal's canonical care record lists full sun and moderate water needs. The current taxonomy reference places it in the genus Foeniculum and in the family Apiaceae. PlotPal currently carries Fennel (Bulb) as an outdoor growing and vegetable reference. Recorded garden roles include food crop. Growing note: Keep soil evenly moist and avoid severe heat stress while the bulb is swelling. Hill a little soil around the base if you want paler stems, and harvest before plants bolt or bulbs become fibrous. Propagation or sowing note: Direct sow in cool weather or transplant very young starts carefully; mature fennel dislikes root disturbance. Plant-health prevention note: Provide drainage and airflow, rotate planting sites, and avoid keeping foliage wet for long periods. Pest-prevention note: Inspect tender growth for aphids and slugs. Fennel can host swallowtail caterpillars, so tolerate feeding where possible or move caterpillars rather than spraying broadly. The current reference lists an average harvest time of about 90 days, where harvest timing applies. Common pests in the reference include Aphids, Swallowtail caterpillars, Slugs. Common plant-health issues in the reference include Cercospora leaf spot, Root rot. Use this guide as practical growing context, then adjust decisions to the actual weather, soil, container or bed, variety, and conditions in your garden.