FLORENCE FENNEL
Other Common Names Include:
Bulb Fennel, Bulb Anise, Carosella, Fetticus, Fino, Finocchio,
Finochio and Italian Fennel
Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
Plant Family: Apiaceae
Close Relatives: Anise, Cilantro/Coriander, Carrots, Celery, Dill and Parsley
Uses and Markets: Culinary (e.g. enlarged leaf base (bulb) is used as a fresh or cooked vegetable, seeds use as a spice or condiment)
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Annual
Hardiness Zone
6
Special Notes
none
Propagation method
Most commonly by transplants from seeds; less commonly by direct seeding
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
early spring
Field Seeding Date:
Beginning late April
Field Transplanting Dates
Spring, 4-6 weeks after seeding
In-row spacing
20-30 cm
Between row spacing
90-120 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
15-18°C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility guidelines exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Ontario fertility guidelines for celery, a close relative, can be found in OMAFRA Vegetable Production Recommendations Publication 363, and would be a good starting point. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Well-drained soils.
Soil pH
6-8
Special requirements for growth habit
None.
Optimal Temperature Range
20-24°C
Temperature sensitivity
Frost Sensitive (mature bulbs)
Irrigation requirements
Irrigation beneficial under normal Ontario conditions.
Days to harvest
70-80 from transplanting; 90-100 from seeds
Specialized equipment
none
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Successive Plantings; Single Harvest..
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Hand harvest
Quality parameters/grades
No established grades. Quality is determined by the market.
Additional Harvest Notes
Harvest the enlarged leaf base, often called bulbs, before bolting begins when the base of the stem is 6 to 8 cm wide. Bolting causes the bulbs to become woody. The bulbs should be round and pale in colour. As bolting begins, the bulb begins to narrow and becomes elongated. Much of the leaf and stem material is cut off at harvest leaving several centimeters of stem and some leaves on the bulb. Harvest during cooler parts of the day to reduce moisture loss and cooling costs. Remove field heat as soon as possible after harvest.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
none
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): 90-95%)
Temperature: 0-2°C
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: 14-21 days
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Insects and Invertebrates: Parsley worm, leaf hopper
Diseases:
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Aphids, cabbage looper, flea beetle, cutworm, beet armyworm, corn earworm
Diseases: Leaf blight, stem rot, damping-off
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: none. This crop is in Crop Group 4: Leafy Vegetables (except Brassica Vegetables) Group and Subgroup 4B: Leaf Petioles Subgroup. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
None
- Westerveld, S., Elford, E., Filotas, M. and J. Todd. 2013. OMAFRA herb demonstration garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- Cantwell, Marita. 2001. Properties and Recommended Conditions for the Long Term Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. University of California, Davis.
- Kowalchik, C. and W. H. Hylton. 1998. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, Emaus PA.
- Munro, D.B and E. Small. 1997. Vegetables of Canada. NRC Research Press, Ottawa.
- Purdue University. 1993. Fennel: A New Specialty Vegetable.
- Purdue University. 2013. Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers 2013: herbs.
- Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick and L.E. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Archon Books, 770 pp., Hamden, CT.
- Small, E. 2006. Culinary herbs, 2nd Edition. NRC Research Press, Ottawa.
- University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 1998. Publication 3346 Specialty and Minor Crops Handbook, Second Edition. University of California, Oakland.
