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When to Plant Fennel in Pulaski County, IN

Florence fennel is grown for its swollen bulb-like stem base, which has a mild anise flavor. It is crisp raw in salads and sweet when roasted or braised.

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fennel during the growing season.

Pulaski County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 388 gal / 100 sq ft
Fennel needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Excellent fit

Fennel Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, IN

Fennel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 22

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Pulaski County

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest to reduce bolting. Hill soil around bulbs as they enlarge. Harvest when bulbs are tennis-ball sized before they elongate.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fennel in Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pulaski County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pulaski County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.