Growing bulb fennel

I planted bulb fennel in the Spring and by Fall had some magnificent looking plants. Unfortunately they were almost entirely roots and fronds. There was really no bulb to eat although the top emerging from the ground looked as if was an edible bulb..They all went to compost. I checked the ph for the soil and it was 6.7 and it was well composted. I would assume the problem is not with the soil. Not enough heat and hours of sunshine is top of my list. Has anyone experience with this challenge? - It is a vegetable worth growing. more...