Fennel Mantovano is a heritage bulbing fennel from Mantova with large, crisp, aromatic white bulbs and a clean aniseed flavour. Slice it raw into salads, roast it with olive oil and parmesan, or braise it slowly until it caramelises. One of the most underrated vegetables you can grow in Ireland.
This mid-early variety is reliable and vigorous. Sow direct where it is to grow because fennel does not like being transplanted. Harvest when the bulbs are tennis-ball sized for the sweetest flavour.
Fennel ‘Mantovano’ (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) is a prized mid-early heritage variety, valued for its vigorous growth and exceptional quality. It produces large, crisp, and aromatic white bulbs (pods) with a hollow stem (“empty cane”), perfect for salads, roasting, or grilling. Its strong aniseed flavour is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine. This variety is known for its reliability and deliciously perfumed bulbs.
🌱 Sow directly Mar-May. Prefers well drained, fertile soil.
☀️ Requires full sun. Essential for good bulb development.
💧 Water consistently and deeply. Crucial to prevent bolting and ensure juicy, swollen bulbs.
📏 Forms large, plump bulbs. Harvest from the base when bulb is tennis-ball sized.
Bullet Technical Data
🌱 Depth: 1 cm
📅 Sow: March to May
☀️ Light: Full sun
🌡️ Germ: 10-20 days
📏 Height: Up to 60 cm
🪴 Space: 25-30 cm apart
⏳ Harvest: June to August (from spring sowing)
🪙 Seeds: Information not provided
| Weight | 8 g |
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