Which month is the best for sowing fennel in the north?

Fennel is a herbaceous plant of the genus Fennel in the Apiaceae family. It can be used as both a vegetable and a spice. It is also a medicinal material with a wide range of benefits when grown. Moreover, it likes a cool environment and is very suitable for planting in northern my country. So when is the best month to sow fennel in the north? Let’s learn more about it below.

Which month is the best for sowing fennel in the north?

In the north, fennel can be sown in spring and autumn. Among them, the most suitable spring period is March to April, when the temperature is suitable and the sunshine is sufficient, which is conducive to the growth and development of fennel; the most suitable autumn period is August to September, when the climate is relatively cool, which is conducive to the growth of the plant.

Key points of fennel sowing technology

1. Site selection and land preparation

Fennel is suitable for planting in areas with loose soil, high organic matter content, high terrain and good drainage. Before sowing, apply base fertilizer first, spread farmyard manure and sheep manure evenly on the planting land, deep plow 1-2 times, level the soil and then you can sow.

2. Selecting improved varieties

First of all, we must choose good varieties, seeds with full grains, yellow-green color, and no diseases or damage. In terms of varieties, there are mainly three types: anise, cumin and bulb fennel. Generally, fennel is used for spring cultivation, while aniseed or bulb fennel is used for autumn and winter cultivation.

3. Seed treatment

The seeds should be germinated before sowing. Soak them in cold water at about 15℃ for 12 to 24 hours and scrub them. Then place them in 18℃ to 20℃ conditions for germination, and sow them after the seeds turn white. You can also soak in 5ppm gibberellin for 12 hours, or soak in 1000ppm thiourea for 10 to 12 hours, which are very effective.

4. Sowing method

Fennel can be sown in rows or broadcasted. Generally, the row spacing is about 20 cm. Dig a trench about three centimeters deep, sprinkle a layer of seeds evenly in the trench, then cover it with about one centimeter of soil, add water, and keep the soil moist. When sowing on a flat bed, first apply enough water to the bottom of the bed. After the water has seeped down, immediately spread the seeds evenly. Then cover them with one centimeter of fine moist soil. Pay attention to moisturizing, and the seeds will sprout in about a week.

5. Post-sowing management

After sowing, pay attention to watering frequently to keep the bed surface moist to facilitate the emergence of young sprouts. If there is insufficient water during the emergence period, seedling shortage is likely to occur. After the seedlings emerge from the soil, they grow slowly and weeds are easily bred in the field. It is necessary to pay attention to timely tillage and weeding, and at the same time, combine tillage with topdressing and watering. When the plant is about 30 cm tall, it can be harvested.

In general, northern fennel can be sown in March-April in spring and August-September in autumn. Before sowing, you should pay attention to choosing suitable land for planting. And because fennel seeds germinate relatively slowly, they need to be soaked to germinate first, and then sown.