Fennel microgreens, often referred to as micro fennel, average a mere 5 to 10 centimeters in length and look like thin blades of grass. The finely textured fennel microgreens are ender and have a mild green flavor with hints of anise, lemony undertones, and sweet notes that work wonderfully in both sweet and succulent dishes.
Fennel microgreens are best used raw as any type of heat can cause wilting. You can use micro fennel in sauces, dips, salads, atop seafood, sandwiches, and over pasta. Micro fennel pairs deliciously in both Indian and Italian cuisine, as well as recipes that have potatoes, tomatoes, apples, beets, thyme, parsley, and cheese.
Fennel microgreens offer high germination rates with germination occurring within 3 to 4 days of planting. On average, micro fennel is ready to harvest within 12 days of planting. The preferred growing method for these bright green color, mild anise flavored microgreens is in a growing medium like coconut coir.
Micro fennel is an easy to grow microgreen. Our microgreen profile provides you with the information that you need to grow fennel microgreens.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Micro fennel has a mild licorice flavor with hints of lemon and sweet undertones. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Certain strains of fennel microgreens require presoaking while others do not. |
| Color | Micro fennel has a soft green color. |
| Germination Time | The average germination period for fennel microgreens is 3 to 4 days. |
| Harvest Time | You can expect to harvest micro fennel in 10 to 14 days. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 2 – Fennel microgreens are easy to grow and are a great microgreen for new gardeners. |
Fennel microgreens are tasty, easy to grow microgreens with a short germination period. The high germination rate of fennel microgreens ensures you reap a large harvest in about 2 weeks.
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about growing fennel microgreens.
Fennel microgreens do not regrow after harvesting. Remove the growing medium and micro fennel roots from your microgreen trays and add them to your compost pile before replanting.
Fennel microgreens are fast growing. You can expect to harvest your microgreens within 14 to 21 days after sowing micro fennel seeds.
Fennel microgreens are packed full of nutrients. These delicious microgreens contain large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. In addition to this, each serving of micro fennel contains a plethora of antioxidants, fiber, and potassium.
You will need one ounce of fennel microgreen seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen growing tray.
Fennel microgreens are easy to incorporate into your diet. Micro fennel has a peppery, yet slightly sweet flavor with mild licorice undertones. You can incorporate these microgreens into your favorite Italian or Indian dishes, use the fennel as an edible garnish, and add it to your favorite salad blend.
Fennel microgreens can be grown in a variety of growing mediums and methods. We recommend growing fennel microgreens in a soilless growing medium to help ensure success. Soilless growing mediums prevent root rot as well as reduce the risk of mold and other soilborne diseases.
Starter kits are designed to provide you with the equipment you need to grow fennel microgreens. There are many different starter kits on the market. We typically recommend the Deluxe Microgreens Starter Kit from True Leaf Market. This kit includes the growing tray, growing medium, starter microgreen seed packs, and misting bottle.
If you prefer to purchase individual microgreen growing equipment, you will need the following items. You may have some of these items already. The rest can be picked up for a couple of hundred dollars on Amazon or your favorite online retailer.
Mason jars are a great way to presoak your fennel microgreen seeds. The screw top lid allows you to easily drain the water from your sprouted fennel microgreen seeds. We recommend a pint sized mason jar.
Although fennel microgreens can be grown hydroponically, we recommend using soil or a soilless growing medium like coconut coir. Using this method will produce a larger, healthier crop than if hydroponics is used.
Coconut coir is the preferred growing medium for growing fennel microgreens. This soilless growing medium is created using the husk of coconuts. The husks are soaked in hot seawater which helps remove the fiber from the coconut shell. Then, it is allowed to dry. Once dried, it is compacted and sold as coconut coir.
Coconut coir is the preferred growing medium for microgreen gardening. This medium offers a neutral pH level as well as exceptional water retention. Coconut coir also offers good drainage and aeration to reduce the risk of soilborne illnesses.
Another option for microgreen growing is seed starting soil. This fine grained soil provides your microgreen seeds with the nutrients they need for optimal development and growth. Seed starting soil is designed to be safe for organic gardening.
This type of soil offers a balanced pH and contains a small amount of organic fertilizer. Seed starting soil offers high water retention, making it a great choice for fragile microgreens. The fine grained soil allows air pockets in the soil to help improve drainage.
You will need three trays for your fennel microgreens. Two trays will be used on the bottom and one tray will be used on the top. You will need one with drainage holes and two trays without drainage holes. Most microgreen growers prefer to use the 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen growing trays; however, there are other sizes available.
A growing tray with drainage holes allows you to water from the bottom up, which reduces the risk of mold, powdery mildew, and other diseases. You will fill this tray with your growing medium and plant your fennel microgreen seeds.
The two growing trays without drainage holes will be used in two different ways. One will be placed underneath to allow from bottom watering. The second grow tray will be used as a humidity and blackout dome during the germination period.
A misting bottle will allow you to gently moisten the soil without disturbing the newly planted seeds.
A light source like a full spectrum LED grow light will provide your fennel microgreens with the light that they need to grow consistently and healthy.
The ideal temperature for germination is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat mat will help maintain soil temperatures to improve the germination rate of fennel microgreen seeds.
If you are limited on space, a planter's rack may be the answer that you are looking for. A rack not only allows you to store your microgreens vertically but also provides you with areas to install grow lights and circulation fans.
One of the main causes of fennel microgreen failure is mold. Circulation fans reduce the risk of mold by gently blowing air across the microgreens. This air movement keeps the stems of the microgreens dry to help prevent mold and other types of soilborne diseases.
Sweet Fennel microgreen seeds are easy to grow and add flavor and interest to your favorite dishes. This microgreen is ready for harvest in 10 to 14 days and features hints of licorice along with sweet undertones, making it a great addition to your favorite potato and seafood dishes.
Florence Fennel microgreen seeds are easy to grow and feature high germination rates. This microgreen offers a mild licorice taste with undertones of sweet and peppery flavors, making it a great choice in your favorite Italian and Indian dishes.
Bronze Fennel microgreen seeds provide you with beautiful bronze foliage that not only looks great but also tastes amazing. The thread like leaves provide a spicy, yet sweet anise flavor that is a perfect addition to fish, teas, desserts, and salads.
Growing fennel microgreens is not difficult when you follow our easy to understand direction. Our step by step growing instructions will guide you through the process from preparing your microgreen growing trays to harvesting and storing your fennel microgreens.
You will begin by filling your growing tray with drainage holes with your preferred growing medium. We recommend using coconut coir for growing fennel microgreens. Fill the growing medium to the top of your trays and pat down gently to flatten the growing medium. Then, use your misting bottle to thoroughly moisten the growing medium.
Once the growing medium is properly moistened check to ensure the growing medium is slightly below the top of the growing tray. If necessary, add an additional growing medium and moisten until it reaches the proper level.
Once you have added and moistened the growing medium, it is time to plant your fennel seeds. You will need approximately one ounce of fennel microgreen seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch tray. Ensure that you evenly spread the seeds across the growing tray. To help ensure an even distribution of your microgreen seeds, try using a spice jar with adjustable pouring lids.
Once you have sewn your fennel microgreen seeds, apply a thin layer of growing medium over the seeds. Then, gently moisten the soil again using your misting bottle. It should take five to ten squirts to fully moisten the soil and seeds.
In nature, germination occurs deep within the ground. We mimic this by using a blackout germination dome. Invert the other germination tray with no drainage holes and place it on top of your fennel microgreen seeds. Then, place a heavy stone or weight atop the inverted tray. Don't worry this will not harm your microgreens, it will actually strengthen them.
Place your microgreen tray on top of your heating mat and allow the seeds to germinate. It will take approximately 3 days for your seeds to germinate. Your seeds will be ready to be uncovered when at least 90 percent of your seeds have sprouted. During the germination process, make sure the soil remains moist, but not soaking. Use your misting bottle as needed to gently moisten the soil.
Once your fennel microgreen seeds have sprouted, it is time to remove the humidity and blackout dome. Place your microgreens on your microgreen planter's rack. Attach one grow light to each layer of the rack, ensuring the grow light is approximately six to twelve inches from the fennel microgreens.
The grow light is designed to provide the fennel microgreen sprouts with the light that they need to grow evenly. Choosing an LED grow light ensures that the grow light will not generate heat and burn the microgreens. The LED grow lights will be used throughout the remaining grow cycle.
Leave your grow lights on for at least 12 hours each day to ensure they have an ample amount of time to photosynthesize. The more light your microgreens receive the denser your microgreens will be. For this reason, many microgreen growers leave the LED grow lights on for 18 to 20 hours to ensure proper development and growth.
Once you have removed the blackout humidity dome and placed your microgreens under grow lights, it is time to turn on your circulation fans. These fans should be placed so they blow across the tops of your microgreens. Avoid allowing the fan to blow toward the soil as this can dry out the soil. Attach the fans to the side of the planter's tray and angle them to blow across the tops of your microgreens.
The exact time to harvest is a personal preference; however, you can expect your micro fennel to be ready in about 2 weeks. When the microgreens have reached a height of approximately two inches tall, it is time to harvest.
The timeline and measurements are just estimates. The best way to know when to harvest your microgreens is by taste. When your microgreens have reached the recommended size, you should begin tasting your microgreens daily. When they reach your preferred flavor profile, it is time to harvest your fennel microgreens.
Harvesting fennel microgreens is simple. All you need is a sharp knife or pair of scissors and a clean plate or paper towel. You want to make sure your knife or scissors is extremely sharp to avoid bruising the stems of your microgreens, which can reduce storage times.
To harvest, gently hold the microgreens in one hand and cut using your knife or scissors. As you cut your microgreens, place them on a clean paper towel or plate in a single layer. Work quickly as oxidation begins immediately upon cutting.
If you will be using the microgreens immediately, wash them in a bowl of cool, not cold water. Place them on a paper towel and allow them to air dry before adding them to your favorite dish.
If you will be storing the fennel microgreens for later use, do not expose them to water. Instead, follow the storage instructions listed below.
As soon as you cut your microgreens, you need to get them refrigerated. Work quickly and only harvest one grow tray at a time. Once you have harvested your fennel microgreens, wrap them loosely in a paper towel and place them in a storage bag or storage bowl.
Microgreens store best at temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your microgreens in your produce drawer and reduce the humidity level for best results. Your fennel microgreens will last approximately one week when properly stored in the refrigerator.
Fennel microgreens are tasty, nutritious, and easy to grow. These microgreens pair wonderfully with seafood and fish thanks to the undertones of anise. You can also use fennel microgreens in a variety of Italian and Indian dishes. Because fennel microgreens wilt quickly, add them at the end of the cooking cycle once the dish has been removed from the heat.
