Sweet Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Azoricum) is a versatile herb known for its sweet, aromatic flavor and beautiful fern-like foliage. Often used in culinary dishes, especially Mediterranean cuisine, this fennel variety produces crunchy, flavorful bulbs that can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. Its feathery leaves also serve as an excellent herb for garnishes, while its seeds are valued for their sweet, slightly licorice flavor. This packet contains 300 high-quality seeds, offering ample opportunity to grow your own fennel plants for both culinary and ornamental purposes.

Key Features:

• 300 High-Quality Seeds: This packet provides enough seeds to plant a generous amount of Sweet Florence Fennel in your garden.
• Edible Bulbs and Leaves: Grow flavorful, crunchy fennel bulbs that can be used in salads, soups, stews, and roasted dishes. The delicate, feathery leaves add a mild licorice flavor to sauces, dips, and salads.
• Herb and Vegetable: Sweet Florence Fennel is both an herb and a vegetable, making it a dual-purpose plant for your garden.
• Attractive Foliage: Its finely divided, feathery leaves create a delicate, ornamental appearance in your garden, adding texture and visual interest.
• Culinary Use: Ideal for adding unique flavor to Mediterranean and Italian dishes, this fennel variety is perfect for those who enjoy cooking with fresh, homegrown herbs and vegetables.
• Easy to Grow: Sweet Florence Fennel is relatively easy to grow and thrives in a variety of garden environments.

Growing Information:

• Light Requirements: Sweet Florence Fennel prefers full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to produce the best results.
• Soil Preferences: It grows best in well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Loamy or sandy soils are ideal for fennel cultivation.
• Planting Tips:
  • Indoor Start: For an early start, sow fennel seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Use shallow trays with seed-starting mix and lightly cover the seeds with soil. Keep the soil moist, and ensure the tray is placed in a sunny location or under grow lights.
  • Outdoor Planting: Directly sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Fennel seeds should be planted ¼ inch deep in the soil, and rows should be spaced 18-24 inches apart to allow for bulb development.
• Watering Needs: Fennel prefers consistently moist soil, but be sure to avoid overwatering, as the plant does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry spells.
• Temperature: Sweet Florence Fennel thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C to 24°C). It is a cool-season plant that can tolerate light frosts but should be harvested before freezing temperatures arrive.
• Fertilizing: While fennel is not a heavy feeder, it benefits from a light application of balanced fertilizer, particularly in poor soils. Adding compost before planting will provide nutrients for healthy growth.
• Pruning and Harvesting: To harvest the fennel bulb, wait until the bulb is about 4-6 inches in diameter. Cut the entire bulb at the base, but leave the plant's foliage for continued leaf use. Harvest fennel leaves as needed throughout the growing season by snipping them off with scissors. To collect fennel seeds, allow the flowers to mature and dry on the plant, then shake the seed heads to release the seeds.

Benefits:

• Versatile Culinary Herb: Sweet Florence Fennel is a wonderful herb and vegetable for the kitchen, providing sweet, mild licorice flavor to a variety of dishes. Its leaves, bulbs, and seeds are all edible and can be used in different ways.
• Rich in Nutrients: Fennel is high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, offering both health benefits and delicious flavor.
• Improves Digestion: Fennel has been traditionally used to aid digestion, alleviate bloating, and reduce gas, making it an excellent addition to your herb garden for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
• Attracts Pollinators: The small, umbrella-shaped flower clusters of fennel attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a great plant for a pollinator-friendly garden.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its feathery, finely-textured foliage and bright yellow flowers, Sweet Florence Fennel makes an attractive addition to herb and vegetable gardens.

Growing Zones:
Sweet Florence Fennel thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. It is suitable for most temperate climates and can grow year-round in warmer zones. It prefers cooler temperatures but can tolerate heat if grown with adequate watering.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Herb and Vegetable Garden: Sweet Florence Fennel is a great addition to herb and vegetable gardens, offering a flavorful, easy-to-grow plant that produces edible bulbs and leaves. Plant fennel alongside other Mediterranean herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme for a fragrant and functional herb garden.
• Companion Planting: Fennel can be planted with other herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, and beans, but avoid planting it near dill or coriander, as fennel can inhibit their growth.
• Pollinator-Friendly Garden: Fennel’s attractive flowers and ability to draw in beneficial insects make it a valuable plant for pollinator gardens. The flowers are especially popular with bees and butterflies.
• Container Gardening: If space is limited, Sweet Florence Fennel can be successfully grown in large containers or raised beds. Just ensure the containers are large enough to accommodate the plant’s growth and provide good drainage.
• Cutting Gardens: Fennel’s fern-like foliage adds texture to flower arrangements, while the flowers can be used in floral bouquets. Consider planting fennel near your cutting garden for fresh herb additions to your arrangements.

Conclusion:
Sweet Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Azoricum) is a highly versatile herb and vegetable that offers both culinary and ornamental benefits. With its sweet, licorice-flavored bulbs, delicate foliage, and aromatic seeds, fennel is a delightful addition to any garden. Whether you're looking to enhance your kitchen with fresh herbs or beautify your garden with its feathery texture, Sweet Florence Fennel is an easy-to-grow and rewarding plant. Grow it for its many uses in cooking, its health benefits, or simply to enjoy its fragrant presence in your garden.