Where To Plant Bulb/Florence Fennel?

[Peanut]

I grew it a few years ago and I think I just stuck it in any old bed. This time I have been reading about where to plant it, what with etc and it seems it might as well be grown on an island away from any other living being!

So where can I grow it? Next to which other plants? I'm stumped. I wish I hadn't started reading about it now.

Thanks all

[mothhawk]

A quick goggle seems to indicate that it is bad for the nightshade family, peppers and beans, so put it among the lettuce and cucumbers

[Peanut]

Thanks mothhawk unfortunately my lettuces are dotted randomly and cucs are in the greenhouse. I might just do what I did the first time and chuck them in wherever there is space and hope for the best, they're old seeds so chances of the germinating are probably slim anyway!

[Penellype]

I grow mine among the cauliflowers and they seem to grow well and the cauliflowers don't seem to mind either.



This photo was taken today - the cauliflowers have been eaten and replaced with romanesco and the fennel are ready to harvest. I've planted some more in the tunnel between parsnips and PSB and they are all fine.

[Peanut]

That's interesting Penellype I have brassicas so could possibly pop the fennel in with them. Thanks!

[Vince G]

Mine go in the umbellifer bed as part of my rotation plan. So in with the carrots, parsnips, celery, celeriac etc. as they're same family. There's a few other odds and sods in that bed too like chicory, scorzonera, but other than occasionally bolting due to sowing too early, the fennel does OK in that bed.

[Vince G]

I grow mine among the cauliflowers and they seem to grow well and the cauliflowers don't seem to mind either.



This photo was taken today - the cauliflowers have been eaten and replaced with romanesco and the fennel are ready to harvest. I've planted some more in the tunnel between parsnips and PSB and they are all fine.

They are cracking bulbs! A real treat to get them that good

[Penellype]

They are cracking bulbs! A real treat to get them that good

Thanks These are a variety called Dragon F1 started in modules indoors in early March and planted out in mid April. I find this works well as the bulbs have time to develop before the weather gets too hot and causes them to bolt.

[Vince G]

That's very interesting. My go to guide when I need to check something is the RHS website, and they recommend sowing outdoors in early summer. I sowed in modules this year but planted out about a month ago and they're looking fine but still only about 6 inches tall.

I'm going to try your method next year for sure.