Detailed Guide to Fennel Growing Methods, Beginners Can Learn Easily

Fennel has strong adaptability and a short growing period. It can be sown and cultivated from March to September, and is best grown in flat beds. To make seedlings emerge quickly and evenly, it is best to soak the seeds and pre-sprout them before sowing. The method is to soak the seeds for 24 hours, then rub them with your hands and rinse them several times until the water runs clear. Spread the wet seeds on burlap or a straw mat, let them cool slightly in a shady place, then put them in an earthen basin, cover with a wet cloth, and pre-sprout at 16°C-23°C.

Fennel is mostly sown using the wet sowing method, that is, leave aside covering soil when making the beds, water the base before sowing, then scatter the seeds evenly and cover with soil. Fennel has a small leaf area and is very suitable for close planting, with a sowing rate of 3-5 kg per mu. If dry seeds are sown, pay attention to watering lightly and frequently after sowing to keep the bed surface moist so the young sprouts can emerge. If there is insufficient moisture during emergence, missing plants are likely to occur. After the seedlings emerge, growth is slow, and weeds easily grow in the field, so timely weeding should be done. During the seedling stage, do not water too much; keep the bed surface alternating between dry and moist. For a single harvest, thinning is generally not needed. If multiple harvests are planned, thinning can be combined with weeding, with a plant spacing of 5-6 cm. When the plants reach about 10 cm tall, water frequently and apply a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer along with watering. When the plants reach about 30 cm tall, they can be harvested.