How to Harvest Fennel

Few vegetables and herbs are as versatile as fennel. There are actually two different types of dill: herbal dill and Florence dill (bulb). Fennel is a herb that produces aromatic leaves, stems, and seeds, while Florence dill is shaped like a bulb. If you have two varieties of dill in your garden, that’s fine – we’ve gathered some helpful tips to help you get the most out of this herb-harvesting season.

Table of Contents

Harvest dill in late spring and early fall

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Start picking fennel leaves in late spring. After picking the leaves, you will harvest the branches after 5-7 months from the date of planting. ^{[1] X Research Source} Dill is an annual plant so it won’t live until next year. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Cut pieces of dill leaves are herbs

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Cut the dill leaves, not the branches. Dill leaves are as thin as feathers attached to the branches. Cut off pieces of dill leaves about 1.3cm in size and don’t touch the rest of the plant. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Experts do not recommend storing dill leaves in the refrigerator. You should only cut just enough to use. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Dill leaves add a subtle flavor to the salad. Some cooks also like to add dill leaves to the water to cook rice or beans. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Cut fennel branches just before the plant blooms

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Dill branches can be harvested 5-7 months after planting. ^{[6] X Research Source} You can use household scissors, garden shears, or a sharp knife to cut dill branches. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Penn State Extension Go to Source}

Dill branches are a very suitable spice for fish dishes. You can also add fennel sprigs to home-cooked chicken broth. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Keep fennel branches cold for 3-4 days

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Compared to other herbs, fennel branches do not stay fresh for long. For short-term preservation, put fennel branches in a plastic bag. Try to use it within 4 days to keep it as fresh as possible. ^{[9] X Trusted Source Penn State Extension Go to Source}

Freeze leaves and branches of fennel herbs

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Frozen plastic bags are suitable for long-term storage. Rinse fennel twigs and leaves with cold water, then place in a freezer bag. ^{[10] X Research Sources} There are no official recommendations for freezing this vegetable; but you can freeze within 4-6 months is safe. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Herb cumin, like a common dill, is recommended to be frozen for 4-6 months.
Some people like to freeze herbs in ice trays and pour in oil. However, this freezing method is not very suitable for herbs with soft comb leaves. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Dry fennel branches in the oven

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Dried fennel branches can be stored for up to 3 months. Turn on the oven to 93 degrees Celsius and place the dill sprigs in the baking tray. Bake the dill branches for 3 hours, then turn off the oven and leave overnight to dry. Once the dill is dry, pour it into a zip-lock plastic bag. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If you have more time, you can tie the fennel branches into bundles and hang them in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks.

Cut off the inflorescences of the herb fennel to harvest the seeds

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Wait until the foliage turns brown. Cut the entire inflorescence of the fennel plant. Fennel seeds form inside the flowers, so this is how you harvest them. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If left too long without harvesting, the seeds will spread everywhere and you will not get the seeds.

Hang fennel inflorescences for a few weeks to harvest the seeds

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Secure a paper bag underneath the fennel flower. Hang the fennel inflorescences for a few days or weeks, or until you’ve gathered quite a few seeds. ^{[15] X Research Source} Pour seeds into a tightly closed container and store in a cool, dark place; Fennel seeds will stay fresh for up to 2 years. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Harvest Florence dill in late summer and early fall

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The fennel bulbs will reach their full size after 14 weeks. ^{[17] X Research Source} You will harvest fennel bulbs just before the plants start to flower, when the bulbs are about the size of a tennis ball. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Harvesting dill bulbs with pruning shears

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Cut just below the base of the bulb, but leave the roots below ground level, then collect the whole plant. After you harvest the bulbs, sometimes new shoots will continue to grow from the roots, and the next season you can continue to harvest. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Refrigerate dill tubers for up to 10 days

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Store fennel bulbs in a plastic bag. Do not wash before storing dill bulbs in the refrigerator until needed. In general, you can keep fresh fennel bulbs in the refrigerator for at least 1 week. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

Freeze Florence dill up to 10-12 months

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Wash and blanch dill bulbs before freezing. Blanch the fennel bulbs by boiling for 3 minutes, then soaking in cold water for a few minutes. Drain the water and place the blanched fennel bulbs in a frozen plastic bag. ^{[21] X Research Source}

If the dill tuber is discolored and feels soft to the touch after freezing, discard it.

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