How to Plant Fennel in Containers
Can you grow fennel in pots? Yes, as long as the pots are big enough. For one thing, fennel produces a long taproot that needs plenty of depth. For another thing, you grow extra tender fennel bulbs by “earthing up.” This means that as the bulbs get bigger, you pile more soil around them to protect them from the sun. If you’re growing bulb fennel in pots, this means you have to leave several inches of room between the soil and the rim of the container when you sow. One good way to achieve this is to plant your container grown fennel in a tall grow bag with the top rolled down. As the plant grows, unroll the top to make room for the extra soil. If your pot simply isn’t deep enough, you can fake the earthing up process by surrounding the bulb with a cone of cardboard or aluminum foil. Fennel is a Mediterranean plant that loves warm weather. It also hates having its roots disturbed, so it grows best if sown directly into the soil after all chance of frost or cool nighttime temperatures has passed. Container grown fennel has to be kept moist at all times without getting waterlogged, so plant it in well-draining soil and water frequently. Harvest the bulb before it bolts to get the best flavor.
