{"id":5260,"date":"2026-08-28T10:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T10:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opapod.it\/hilling-up-fennel-how-and-when-to-hill-up\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T08:11:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T08:11:29","slug":"hilling-up-fennel-how-and-when-to-hill-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opapod.it\/en\/hilling-up-fennel-how-and-when-to-hill-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilling up fennel: how and when to hill up"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is hilling up fennel, and what is it for<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe fennel bulb is naturally pale because it develops protected from light<\/strong>. If exposed to sunlight, however, it can turn green due to chlorophyll<\/strong>. \n

\nHilling up consists of drawing soil around the base of the plant until the bulb is covered<\/strong>, promoting blanching and the white color required by the market.<\/strong>\n

\nIf necessary, top-dressing fertilizer can also be applied<\/strong> during the same operation, optimizing field passes.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Why hill up fennel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Hilling up can offer several benefits during the crop cycle:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"Fennel<\/figure>

Blanching of the fennel bulb<\/p>

covering it with soil limits exposure to light and helps maintain its characteristic white color<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Fennel<\/figure>

Looser soil<\/p>

shallow cultivation facilitates bulb development<\/strong> in less compact soil<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Protecting<\/figure>

Protection from cold<\/p>

In winter crops, the soil mounded around the base can help protect the plant from low temperatures<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Weed<\/figure>

Weed control<\/p>

Passing between the rows helps control weeds and reduce competition for water and nutrients<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Water<\/figure>

Surface water management<\/p>

Under suitable conditions, soil shaping can promote water drainage and help prevent waterlogging<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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How to hill up fennel correctly<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Passing between the rows<\/p>

using a furrower or ridger<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Moving the soil<\/p>

toward the base of the plants<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Covering the fennel bulb<\/p>

without reaching the leaf stalks<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe operation consists of drawing soil around the base of the plant until the bulb is covered<\/strong>.\nProper hilling also depends on how the crop has been established: row spacing, plant density, and plant arrangement<\/strong> all influence fennel development and the management of mechanical field operations.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWould you like to learn more about how to set up the crop correctly from the early stages?
Also read our article on fennel planting techniques and plant density.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFennel sowing<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Warning\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pay attention to soil conditions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHilling up should not be carried out when the soil is waterlogged.\n\nIt is best to wait until the soil returns to a workable moisture condition<\/strong>, meaning it has the right moisture level for cultivation.Mounding excessively wet soil around the bulb can create favorable conditions for the development of rot and fungal or bacterial diseases.<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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When to hill up fennel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe timing and frequency of hilling depend on the variety, crop cycle, soil conditions, weather patterns, and farm management<\/strong>\n \n In general, two main strateg<\/strong>ies can be adopted:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\"Cycle<\/figure>

Repeated hilling every 15\u201320 days<\/h3>

Hilling is carried out at regular intervals<\/strong> throughout the bulb\u2019s growth period, supporting the plant at each stage.
Each successive hilling gradually covers the bulb as it develops.
This helps produce a uniformly white, compact bulb of optimal size<\/strong>. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"check<\/figure>

Single hilling before harvest<\/h3>

A single hilling operation<\/strong> 15 days before harvest can still provide sufficient blanching of the bulb for marketability<\/strong>.
It is less effective than repeated hilling throughout the growth cycle, but significantly better than not hilling at all. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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When to carry out the first hilling<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe first hilling can be carried out after the plants have established<\/strong>, once they have resumed steady growth and the bulb begins to develop.\n \n \n \nIt is important to avoid hilling too ear<\/strong>ly, as this could cause mechanical stress to young plants, but also too late,<\/strong> as this would leave the bulb exposed to light during growth. The exact timing should therefore be adapted to the fennel variety and the crop cycle<\/strong>.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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For more information, read the article on Fennel cultivation: varieties and crop cycle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFennel cultivation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Mistakes to avoid when hilling fennel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo achieve effective results, it is important to avoid some common mistakes:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Soil that is too wet<\/p>

Hilling when the soil is waterlogged can promote waterlogging, rot, and disease<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Incomplete plant establishment<\/p>

Hilling too early can cause mechanical stress to young plants<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hilling too late<\/p>

Leaving the bulb exposed to light for too long can cause it to turn green<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Too much soil<\/p>

Too much soil can hinder the plant\u2019s proper development<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Covered leaf stalks<\/p>

The soil should cover the bulb without reaching the area where the leaf stalks emerge<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Proper hilling should support the development of the bulb without hindering the plant\u2019s growth<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Apod\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Do you grow fennel and want to optimize its quality?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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APOD supports its members with in-field technical advice, agricultural services, and product quality monitoring throughout the entire crop cycle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more about APOD services<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Frequently asked questions about hilling fennel<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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When should fennel be hilled? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIdeally, fennel should be hilled every 15\u201320 days throughout the bulb\u2019s growth period. Alternatively, a single hilling 15 days before harvest can still provide good blanching. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Why do fennel bulbs turn green? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe bulb turns green when exposed to sunlight, as it produces chlorophyll, making it more fibrous and less flavorful. Hilling prevents greening by covering the bulb with soil. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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How much soil should be used when hilling fennel? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe bulb (the white basal part) should be completely covered with soil, without covering the area where the leaf stalks begin. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Can fennel be hilled when the soil is wet? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo. The soil should be at the right moisture level for cultivation. Hilling when the soil is waterlogged can promote rot and fungal diseases. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t