When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow August to April. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Fennel (herb) guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Fennel (herb)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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). Herb fennel is hardy, drought-tolerant, and can become a large landscape plant reaching 1.5-2m. Considered a weed in parts of Australia, grow responsibly.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D - - - S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Fennel (herb) sowing time in Melbourne?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Fennel (herb) in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Sow Sep-Nov. Dies back in winter, regrows in spring.

Soil
Any well-drained soil. Tolerant of poor soils. Drought tolerant once established.
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.

Companion plants: Dill (distant), Sage

Avoid planting near: Tomato, Bean, Capsicum, Coriander, fennel is allelopathic and inhibits growth of many vegetables

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Fennel (herb)

Recommended Varieties

  • Common fennel
  • Bronze fennel

Key Challenges

  • Winter dieback
  • Slow spring recovery

Pro Tips

  • Mulch crown in winter for protection
  • Very productive once established
  • Less weedy in cooler zones

Harvesting Fennel (herb)

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.

Where to next

What fennel costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Fennel (herb)

When do you plant fennel in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does fennel grow all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.