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When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Bastrop County, TX

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.

Bastrop County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,716 feet, Bastrop County receives approximately 57 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Fennel (herb) during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Fennel (herb), but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fennel (herb) root diseases.

Bastrop County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
277 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Bastrop County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fennel (herb) Planting Timeline — Bastrop County, TX

Fennel (herb) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Direct Sow February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 27
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 – Jul 3
Fall Sowing October 6 Oct 6 – Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

277 days in Bastrop County

Growing Tips for Bastrop County

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 Bastrop County, TX?

Bastrop County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Fennel (herb) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bastrop County, TX?

Bastrop County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is December 1.

🌱

Your Bastrop County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bastrop County (Zone 9a). 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 Bastrop County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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