Antares, (F1) Fennel Seeds

Antares (F1) Fennel Seed

Uniform white bulbs offer an improved sweet anise flavor
Award-winning plants deliver refined appearance and consistency
Crisp bulbs slice beautifully for raw dishes
Roast, braise, or grill for mellow sweetness

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Foeniculum vulgare

Days to maturity

68 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

50 Seeds

About Antares, (F1) Fennel Seed, Fennel Seed

Antares fennel is a very uniform, pure white, beautiful plant with a much improved, almost sweet, licorice/anise flavor as compared to other market varieties. Uniform white bulbs offer an improved sweet anise flavor. Award-winning plants deliver refined appearance and consistency. Crisp bulbs slice beautifully for raw dishes.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

In-row plant spacing

12"

Row Spacing

18-24"

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

5,474

Color

Green

Seed Type

Hybrid

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

A successful Fennel planting begins with a full-sun site with light, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Loosen compacted ground and incorporate only modest compost, since overly rich or wet soil can weaken fennel growth and flavor. Prepare a clean, fine seedbed or a freely draining container mix, and avoid fresh manure.

Planting

Fennel may be started indoors 6–10 weeks before the last frost; types that dislike root disturbance are better direct-sown after conditions become suitable. Keep the medium lightly and consistently moist until emergence, never saturated. Space bulb fennel about 12 inches apart and larger herb or seed fennel 18–24 inches apart.

Watering

Fennel prefers moderate to dry conditions once established. Irrigate thoroughly during extended drought, allowing substantial surface drying between applications and preventing water from collecting around the crown.

Fertilizer

Fennel is a light feeder. Apply only a small amount of balanced fertilizer during active growth, since rich feeding produces soft stems and less concentrated fragrance or flavor.

Harvesting

Clip fennel during the cool morning when foliage is dry and aromatic oils are concentrated. Harvest leaves before full bloom, leaving enough healthy growth for the plant to recover.

Tips

Grow extra fennel plants for succession harvests and pinch stems above leaf nodes. Allow a few flowers for pollinators or seed, but remove the rest to preserve leaf quality.

Pests & Diseases

Cercospora and Ramularia leaf spots, powdery mildew, damping-off, and root rot can affect fennel. Avoid saving seed from heavily spotted umbels because some pathogens travel with seed. Rotate carrots, celery, dill, cumin, and fennel together as one disease group, and dry seed heads thoroughly before storage.

Monitor fennel for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.