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When to Plant Fennel in White Pine County, NV

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.

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 92 days.

At an elevation of 6,766 feet, White Pine County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fennel during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Fennel will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Fennel successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

White Pine County, NV (Zone 5b) Very short season
92 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
92 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

White Pine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: Jul 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Oct 18

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 604 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Fennel needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 1,679 GDD Good fit

Fennel Planting Timeline โ€” White Pine County, NV

Fennel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Transplant Outdoors June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 10
Direct Sow June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 10
Harvest August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Oct 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

92 days

Growing Tips for White Pine 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 White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help White Pine 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 White Pine County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.