Bronze Arrow

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Velvety bronze-green leaves unfurl with a softly ruffled edge and a gentle, sweet snap—an inviting, garden-fresh flavor that feels as luminous as its color.

Bronze Arrow forms an airy loose-leaf rosette with tender, spoonable texture, ideal for building abundant salads and vibrant platters, and it also shines when lightly dressed into quick tosses and herb-forward mixes. Grow it for a steady harvest over weeks, with leaves that stay crisp and attractive from first cut to the next.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 52 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	52
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bronze Arrow’s tender, velvety leaves give you an easy-to-eat crunch—more whisper than iceberg—so keep dressings light and fast for maximum crispness. It loves bright, lemony oil and creamy, tangy cheeses that cling to the ruffled edges without overwhelming the gentle sweetness.

Best Uses

quick salad tosses where the leaves stay crisp under a light vinaigrette
herb-forward platters with creamy dressings (leaves catch sauce cleanly)
breakfast-style bowls with a warm runny egg and a bright citrus dressing

Flavor Profile

gentle sweetness velvety, spoonable tenderness softly ruffled crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil goat cheese feta buttery eggs chives

Frequently Asked Questions

Bronze Arrow — what do I do if my plants get downy mildew or leaf spots?

Watch for pale yellow patches on top leaves and a gray-purple fuzzy growth on the underside, which is common on Bronze Arrow in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard badly infected leaves, improve airflow by thinning, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If it’s spreading, spray a labeled copper-based fungicide and repeat according to the label every 7–10 days until new growth is clean.

How often should I water Bronze Arrow during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–7)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy: aim for top 1–2 inches to dry slightly between waterings, then water deeply. In part-sun beds, this is often about 1 inch of water per week total (more if it’s hot/windy, less if mornings stay cool and damp). Use mulch to prevent rapid drying, and stop short of standing water to reduce crown and root issues.

How can I tell when Bronze Arrow is ready to harvest at about 52 days?

Harvest when the fruits are full size and the color is uniformly bronze-bronze rather than patchy or dull green, and the stems near the fruit start to dry slightly. Check a sample: they should feel firm, with good snap/turgor (not soft or wrinkled). If you’re unsure, wait 2–3 more days—Bronze Arrow is typically best picked when color is even and firmness peaks.