🌿 How to Grow Fennel from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: सौंफ (Saunf)

• Tamil: பெருஞ்சீரகம்

• Telugu: సోంపు

• Malayalam: പെരുമ് ജീരകം

• Kannada: ಸೋಂಪು

• English: Fennel

• Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season herb and vegetable (bulb-forming or leafy)

• Best time to sow:

  • October to February in India

  • Spring or early autumn in cooler regions

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 25°C

• Avoid hot summers and transplanting once established

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Light, well-draining, fertile loam or sandy loam

• pH Level: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)

• Enrich with aged compost or vermicompost

• Avoid heavy clay — hampers root and bulb formation

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 10–12 inches between plants, 18 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 10–12 inch deep pots, sow 2–3 seeds per pot

• Sow directly where the plant will grow; fennel doesn’t transplant well

• Water lightly after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy

• Water 2–3 times per week depending on weather

• Essential to water regularly during bulb formation

• Mulch around base to retain moisture

5. Germination

• Germinates in 7–14 days

• Needs warmth and light for even sprouting

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks, keeping strongest ones

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of full sunlight daily

• Prefers cool, bright conditions

• May bolt early in hot or dry weather

7. Fertilization

• Add compost at planting, then feed every 3–4 weeks

• Use balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea

• Avoid excessive nitrogen — promotes foliage over bulb/seed development

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars

• Spray neem oil + soap every 10–15 days as a preventive

• Maintain airflow and remove dead leaves to prevent fungus

9. Harvesting

• Leaves: Harvest 40–50 days after sowing

• Bulbs (Florence Fennel): Ready in 90–100 days, when bulb is 3 inches wide

• Seeds: Collect after flowers dry and seed heads turn brown (100–120 days)

• Use sharp shears to cut bulbs or snip fronds

10. Regrow Tip

• Regrows partially from bulb base if left in soil

• For seeds, let flowers mature fully and dry on the plant

• Self-seeds easily — allow some seed heads to remain for natural regrowth

• Divide root clumps in 2nd year for propagation (for perennial fennel types)

🥗 Health Benefits of Fennel (Saunf)

• Aids digestion and relieves bloating

• Rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C

• Acts as a mild diuretic and antioxidant

• Seeds help freshen breath and support hormonal balance