{"product_id":"organic-fennel-de-florence","title":"Organic Fennel de Florence","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganic Fennel de Florence is a traditional European vegetable, grown from certified organic seed, that is equally delightful eaten raw or cooked. The white bulbs are crisp with a mild, sweet, anise flavour, while the feathery foliage above makes an attractive garnish for finishing a dish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis heirloom bulbing type has been a fixture of European kitchen gardens for generations, valued for the way its layered bulb can be sliced thinly into salads for a fresh, crunchy bite, or roasted, braised or grilled to bring out a softer, sweeter side of that same anise flavour. It is a genuinely versatile vegetable that rewards a bit of space in the garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs an organic variety, it suits gardeners who want to grow their own food from seed with no synthetic inputs, from the seed itself right through to however you choose to manage the bed it grows in. Fennel de Florence thrives in cool, well-drained garden beds with plenty of sun, and a steady supply of moisture helps the bulbs swell without turning woody or bolting to seed too early.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a long sowing window running from September right through to April, Fennel de Florence is one of those vegetables you can fit into the garden across most of the growing year, giving you the flexibility to succession sow for bulbs at different times.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSowing Organic Fennel de Florence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSow direct into the garden from September through to April. Prepare a bed with loose, well-drained soil and plenty of sun, and sow seed shallowly, firming gently and watering with a fine spray. Soil temperature should sit between 15-25°C for reliable germination, which typically takes 7-14 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to 30cm apart within the row, with 45cm between rows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaring for Organic Fennel de Florence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the soil consistently moist as bulbs begin to swell, since dry conditions can cause the bulbs to become tough or encourage the plant to bolt prematurely. As the bulb develops, mounding a little soil up around its base helps keep it pale and tender. Keep beds weeded so developing bulbs are not competing for moisture and nutrients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvesting Organic Fennel de Florence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBulbs are ready around 90 days from direct sowing. Harvest by cutting the bulb at soil level once it feels firm and has reached a good size, rather than waiting too long, as fennel bulbs can become woody if left in the ground past their best. The feathery foliage can be picked as needed for garnishing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kings Seeds NZ","offers":[{"title":"300 seeds","offer_id":49143226433844,"sku":"O6121.pkt","price":5.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 grams","offer_id":49143226466612,"sku":"O6121.10grW","price":17.45,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 grams","offer_id":49143226499380,"sku":"O6121.25grW","price":39.2,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 grams","offer_id":49143226532148,"sku":"O6121.50grW","price":66.6,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 grams","offer_id":49143226564916,"sku":"O6121.100grW","price":106.6,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/0555\/6276\/files\/O6121-W.png?v=1784973893","url":"https:\/\/www.kingsseeds.co.nz\/products\/organic-fennel-de-florence","provider":"Kings Seeds NZ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}