When to plant fennel in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Sow Mar 11 · First harvest May 15 · Wrap by Jul 10

Last spring frostMar 25

Direct sowMar 11

First harvestMay 15

Last harvestJul 10

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does fennel take to grow in zone 8a?

Fennel matures in about 65–80 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 11 and first picking around May 15.

Will fennel survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — fennel tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of fennel in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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