Growing bulb (Florence) fennel

A question for successful bulb fennel growers

I have tried on a couple of occaisions to grow bulb fennel with any real success, mine tend to never reach the bulb stage..

I dont eat a great amount but like it in sea food salads.

Any experts amongst us who can impart their wisdom?.

Not me Boss, I failed miserably on all occasions.

Never managed to grow it but haven't tried very hard either!
I think it needs a lot of water, like celery, and earthing up to keep it white................and prone to bolting if you sow it too early.
Not much help, sorry.

Tried to grow it this year for the first time but none of it made bulbs.

I tried grow it in the past just ended up with stalks and fronds no bulbs

That’s just what mine looked like CanTman
I’ve got herb fennel self seeding all over my garden so I kind of had high hopes of doing well at bulb fennel.

I’ve only grown it once at a place of work. I’d never grow it. It’s the food of the devil   .
I only had success with one bulb fattening up. I believe that was a complete fluke. I don’t really remember how I grow it. It was 9 years ago! Only thing I do remember is , I grew it in a fish box not a bed.

I love fennel and have found it fairly easy to grow. Best to sow it from June onwards in warm rich soil with plenty of moisture. Though the experts say to sow direct, I’ve found plug plants ok too.

I love fennel and have found it fairly easy to grow.  Best to sow it from June onwards in warm rich soil with plenty of moisture.  Though the experts say to sow direct, I’ve found plug plants ok too.

Muckly do you grow from seed to plug plant ?

Yes, easy enough to start in a tray, just don’t start them too early or they will bolt. Midsummer is good