When to plant fennel in zone 4a — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 7First frost ~Oct 13Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEP

Sow Apr 23 · First harvest Jun 27 · Wrap by Aug 22

Last spring frostMay 7

Direct sowApr 23

First harvestJun 27

Last harvestAug 22

Fall succession sowAug 4

First fall frostOct 13

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 7 and first fall frost Oct 13 — about 159 frost-free days. Fennel tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Aug 4 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does fennel take to grow in zone 4a?

Fennel matures in about 65–80 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around Apr 23 and first picking around Jun 27.

Will fennel survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — fennel tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 7) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 13).

Can I plant a second crop of fennel in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 4 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full fennel growing guide →

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