Any experience with fennel and freezes?

[beac]

I'm making my first attempt at growing fennel this year. I planted the seeds in a pot about a week ago. I understand that it is a very finicky plant... doesn't like it too hot, doesn't like it too cold and doesn't like to be disturbed. Basically, it's the Goldilocks of the garden.

They are calling for a freeze tonight.

So, should I move the pot inside overnight and risk "upsetting" the seeds or cover it and risk the still cold temp pissing them off?

What say you, DU garden sages?

[formercia]

1. I grew some last season and was surprised how cold tolerant it is

It was one of the last plants to succumb from the cold.

[beac]

2. Good to know.

I think I'm going to let them tough it out. If they don't sprout in a few days, I'll still have time to try another batch for summer and I can always try again in July for a fall crop.

Thanks for replying!

[uppityperson]

3. It is a weed in my town in NW WA

Once it gets growing it does fine, even through our freezes. It can spread, and has next to one of our boat harbors. Pretty in season but it gets to be a pest.

I had one grow from a batch of wildflower seeds, and stuck it in the ground next to our fir woods. It grows every yr, dies back in the winter, then regrows.

Seeings how you are in a very different climate, I have no advice beyond probably needs water since it gets that here. Good luck.

[beac]

4. I'm growing "florence" fennel (the kind with the bulb), not the herb fennel. which I have

heard is invasive.

85% of my veggie/herb garden is in pots, but I've heard herb fennel will seed like crazy even from containers and you can end up with a giant fennel patch the next year. I love the taste of the bulb fennel and you harvest it before it seeds, so hoping to avoid any unitended invasion.


Oh, and after all that, it didn't even freeze that night.

[uppityperson]

5. that is interesting, I didn't know there were 2 kinds. Might explain some of my confusion

about trying to find a bulb with mine. Thanks.

[beac]

6. Until I decided to grow it, I didn't know there was a herb kind either.

:)

[uppityperson]

7. I've used pieces of a new green stem in fish stew, yummy