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When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Red River Parish, LA

Red River Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Red River Parish, Louisiana

Here's what deserves your attention in Red River Parish, Louisiana this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 8
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: fennel (herb)

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • First harvests: fennel (herb)

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Herb fennel is grown for its aromatic leaves, stalks, and seeds rather than a bulb. It has a strong anise flavor and its flowers attract beneficial insects.

Red River Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 477 feet, Red River Parish receives approximately 56.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Fennel (herb) during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fennel (herb) root diseases.

Red River Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Red River Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Fennel (herb)

Fennel (herb) needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Fennel (herb) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Red River Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Fennel (herb) Planting Timeline — Red River Parish, LA

Fennel (herb) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 15
Harvest May 3 May 3 – Jul 12
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Red River Parish

Growing Tips for Red River Parish

Direct sow in spring or fall. Unlike Florence fennel, herb fennel does not form a bulb. Harvest fronds as needed and seeds when they turn brown. Self-sows readily.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Green Beans

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fennel (herb) in Red River Parish, LA?

Red River Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Fennel (herb) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Red River Parish, LA?

Red River Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Your Red River Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Red River Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Red River Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.