Zone 4b covers 52 days of last-frost dates. We measured Pierre, SD at Apr 28 and Jackson, WY at Jun 19. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 4b
Zone 4b's last spring frost averages May 4 and first fall frost Oct 20 — about 169 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 11 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does fennel take to grow in zone 4b?
Fennel matures in about 65–80 days from sowing. In zone 4b that means sowing around Apr 20 and first picking around Jun 24.
Will fennel survive frost in zone 4b?
Yes — fennel tolerates light frost. In zone 4b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 4) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 20).
Can I plant a second crop of fennel in zone 4b?
Yes — in zone 4b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 11 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full fennel growing guide →