Blog

When to Plant Fennel in Gonzales County, TX

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.

Gonzales County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 4,385 feet, Gonzales County receives approximately 67 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Fennel may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fennel root diseases.

Gonzales County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Gonzales County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fennel Planting Timeline — Gonzales County, TX

Fennel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 21
Harvest May 9 May 9 – Jun 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

📆 Growing Season

273 days in Gonzales County

Growing Tips for Gonzales 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 Gonzales County, TX?

Gonzales County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 28. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gonzales County, TX?

Gonzales County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 28 and first fall frost is November 28.

🌱

Your Gonzales County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gonzales 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.

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 Gonzales County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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