The harvest of the fennel bulbs begins, as soon as they are about the size of a fist.
You pull the plants out of the ground and cut off the stalk just below the tuber. The leaves are also cut off directly above the tuber. If there is a risk of night frost, the bulbous fennel beds should be provided with a layer of leaves. This is how you pack the leaves between the rows, that the tubers are well protected. However, it is essential to harvest before the onset of severe frosts. After harvesting, the tubers can be kept in the cold box or in the cellar for a long time. For this purpose, the leaves are cut off about 10 cm above the tuber. Moist sand is best for impact.
Anyone who wants to have seed available at all times, can also pull it yourself. To do this, select two or three plants with well-developed tubers, lift them out of the ground with the largest possible root ball and overwinter in a frost-free place. In the spring (April) the plants are planted in a sheltered place, planted again in a sunny location and cultivated further. The seed harvest can be expected around the beginning to mid-September.
