When to sow Florence fennel in the UK
Florence fennel is sown relative to the average last frost, so the right week depends on where in the UK you garden.
Sowing and harvest dates by region
Florence fennel is timed from the average frost dates, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Sow indoors | Sow outdoors | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | late March to mid April | early May to mid June | early April to early May | early July to late September |
| South Coast and Channel | early April to late April | early May to late June | mid April to mid May | mid July to early October |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late March to mid April | early May to mid June | early April to early May | early July to late September |
| South East and Home Counties | mid April to early May | late May to mid July | late April to late May | late July to mid October |
| East Anglia | late April to mid May | late May to mid July | early May to early June | early August to late October |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | early May to late May | early June to late July | early May to mid June | early August to late October |
| Wales and West Coast | mid April to early May | late May to mid July | late April to late May | late July to mid October |
| Northern England | early May to late May | mid June to early August | mid May to mid June | mid August to early November |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | mid May to early June | mid June to early August | late May to late June | late August to mid November |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | early June to late June | mid July to late August | mid June to mid July | mid September to early December |
| Northern Ireland | late April to mid May | late May to mid July | early May to early June | early August to late October |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | late March to mid April | late April to mid June | late March to early May | late June to mid September |
Growing notes
Bolting is the whole battle: cold spring temperatures, root disturbance and dry summers all make the bulb run to seed instead of swelling. Sow in modules or wait until June or July to sow direct, choose a bolt-resistant variety, and never let the soil dry out.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 30 cm between plants
- Row spacing
- 30 cm
- Plants per m²
- 11
- Days to maturity
- 105 days
- Yield per plant
- 0.35 kg
- Sun
- Full
- Frost tender
- No
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 30 litres or more
- Minimum soil depth
- 30 cm
- Balcony rating
- 3 out of 5
What usually goes wrong
- bolting
- slugs
Companion planting
Grows well near
Keep away from
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for florence fennel.