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When to Plant Fennel in Arthur County, NE

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.

Arthur County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 728 feet, Arthur County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Fennel to ensure they mature before fall.

Arthur County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Arthur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fennel Planting Timeline — Arthur County, NE

Fennel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 – Jun 6
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 5b

📆 Growing Season

150 days in Arthur County

Growing Tips for Arthur 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fennel in Arthur County, NE?

Arthur County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Arthur County, NE?

Arthur County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Arthur County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Arthur County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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