Florence Fennel Sweet Florence

Sweet Florence, a traditional variety from Italy, is high yielding with fragrant, decorative foliage. The bulbs are large and round and beautifully flavoured. Try it in salads, roast in olive oil, stir-fried, very good raw with cheese and can be mixed with other vegetables for flavour. Price for 25 seeds.

SOW & GROW: in April & May (with protection), and on until July for later crops. Starting seeds in modules makes it easy to plant out without disturbing roots. Plant out at 4/5 leaf stage & watch out for slugs. You can grow individual plants in 13cm pots. Keep watered (they like moist rich soil), mulch if possible. It is traditional (not essential) to earth up when the bulb starts to swell. Cut at least 2.5cm above ground and leave roots to resprout – these small tasty shoots are delicious in salads. Protect with a cloche in the autumn to prolong the season.

ENJOY: in salads and with cheese, roast in olive oil, stir fry them or mix them with other veggies for mouth-watering flavours.