When to Plant Fennel in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Fennel guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Feb to May
- Days to harvest
- 60 days
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.0
Herb fennel (common fennel) is a tall, feathery perennial grown for its anise-flavoured leaves, stems and seeds. NOT the same as Florence/bulb fennel (F. vulgare var. azoricum).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb S
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May T/D
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Fennel in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Any well-drained soil. Tolerant of poor soils. Drought tolerant once established.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 5.5-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 60cm between rows
- Watering
- Low water needs once established. Water regularly when young. Very drought tolerant as a perennial.
- Good companions
- Lettuce, Cucumber, Peas, Sage, Chicory and Radicchio
- Keep away from
- Amaranth, Angelica, Broad Beans, Cape Gooseberry, Capsicum, Carrot, Cherry, Chickpeas, Chilli peppers, Climbing Beans, Coriander, Dill, Dwarf Beans, Eggplant, Kohlrabi, Lemongrass, Quinoa, Snake Beans, Strawberry, Tomatillo, Tomato
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Fennel
Recommended Varieties
- Common fennel, very drought tolerant
Key Challenges
- Can become weedy in arid zones with irrigation
- Heat in summer
Pro Tips
- Excellent drought tolerance
- Minimal water once established
- Watch for weediness near waterways
Pests and problems for Fennel in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Fennel
When ready: Harvest leaves anytime once plant is established. Seeds ready when brown on plant.
How to harvest: Snip feathery fronds as needed. Cut seed heads when brown and dry in paper bags. Harvest young stems for cooking.
Storing and preserving fennel
How to keep it
- Drying seeds. Dry seed heads in paper bags for 2-3 weeks. Store whole seeds. Toast before grinding for best flavour. Keeps: 2-3 years whole seeds.
- Freezing fronds. Chop fronds finely, freeze in ice cube trays with water or oil. Keeps: 6 months.
- Fennel pollen. Harvest flower heads when bright yellow and heavy with pollen. Dry on paper in dark room for 3-5 days. Sift pollen from flowers. Extraordinary flavour. The saffron of the herb world. Keeps: 12 months in airtight jar, refrigerated.
What fennel costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Fennel
When do you plant fennel in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Aug Likely to bolt if sown in June, July and August.
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Feb to Oct Likely to bolt if sown in July, August, September and October.
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec Likely to bolt if sown in September, October and November.
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Mar, Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Oct to Dec Likely to bolt if sown in October and November.
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Feb to May
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Nov Likely to bolt if sown in September, October and November.
Can you grow fennel all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Feb to May. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Fennel in Alice Springs?
Florence fennel is an autumn-sown crop here, grown in fertile soil and full winter sun. Spring sowings bolt in the heat.
What soil temperature do Fennel need?
Fennel germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Fennel are ready to harvest?
Harvest leaves anytime once plant is established. Seeds ready when brown on plant.
What are the best Fennel varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Common fennel, very drought tolerant.
What grows well with Fennel?
Good companion plants for Fennel include: Lettuce, Cucumber, Peas, Sage, Chicory and Radicchio.
Are fennel salt tolerant?
Only a little. Fennel are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.