Fennel (Florence/bulbing) in Zone 9a & 9b
Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
Yes, fennel (Florence/bulbing) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Jan 11–Jan 18 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant fennel (Florence/bulbing) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Jan 11–Jan 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | May 30–Jun 6 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of fennel (Florence/bulbing) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMar 1–Mar 8
- Bush BeansFeb 22–Mar 1
- Sweet CornFeb 22–Mar 1
- CucumberFeb 22–Mar 1
- ZucchiniFeb 22–Mar 1
- Winter SquashFeb 22–Mar 1
Florence fennel, the bulbing kind grown for its crisp, anise-flavored base, is a slow crop and a famously antisocial one. Almost every source on companion planting agrees on the same point: fennel doesn't play well with much of anything else in the garden.
How fennel (Florence/bulbing) fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Fennel (Florence/bulbing) needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Fennel (Florence/bulbing) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Apr 10–Apr 17 | May 29–Jun 5 | Aug 27–Sep 3 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 5–Apr 12 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 22–Aug 29 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | Aug 7–Aug 14 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 23–Jul 30 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 7–Jul 14 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Jan 11–Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 30–Jun 6 |
Harvest dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for fennel (Florence/bulbing).
Where to buy fennel seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's fennel seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Orion Hybrid: The other variety USU names alongside Zefa Fino, sharing the same compact form, thick leafstalks and bolt resistance. Buy: Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing fennel (Florence/bulbing)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Fennel (Florence/bulbing) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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