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When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Brown 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.

Brown County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 4,423 feet, Brown County receives approximately 55.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Fennel (herb) may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fennel (herb) root diseases.

Brown County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fennel (herb) Planting Timeline — Brown County, TX

Fennel (herb) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest May 17 May 17 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Brown County

Growing Tips for Brown 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 Brown County, TX?

Brown County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Fennel (herb) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, TX?

Brown County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Brown County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Brown County (Zone 8a). 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 Brown County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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