Bronze

Family: Apiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant and deeply aromatic, Bronze fennel fills the garden with a warm, anise-like perfume and rewards with tender, sweet-snap bulbs in a burnished bronze-green glow.

At maturity, the bulb forms a firm, layered silhouette with crisp texture and a pleasantly mellow bite—ideal for fresh salads, roasting, and silky sauces where its licorice notes shine. Grow Bronze for a standout, garden-beautiful fennel that’s as flavorful as it is striking on the plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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Bronze Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bronze fennel brings a distinctly aromatic, warm anise perfume with bulbs that hold a crisp, layered bite—perfect for shaving where it won’t collapse into watery mush. When you roast or simmer it into a sauce, that licorice edge mellows into a silky sweetness that clings to pork, anchovy, and bright citrus.

Best Uses

thin shaved fennel salads dressed right away (it stays snappy)
hot roast wedges until edges caramelize while centers stay tender
blend into a silky sauce base where licorice notes soften into round sweetness
quick-pickling for a bright, tangy crunch that plays well with char

Flavor Profile

warm anise-licorice aroma sweet, mellow crunch with a crisp snap mild bitterness on the finish that cooks down silky

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil white wine vinegar anchovy pork

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my bronze leaves developing powdery patches or yellow specks, and what should I do?

Powdery mildew on bronze often shows as a dusty white coating on leaves during warm, humid spells. Remove heavily affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the base so foliage stays dry; if it keeps spreading, spray with a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product and repeat per label timing.

How often should I water bronze during the main growing phase to avoid poor growth or split pods?

During the 6–10 weeks when bronze is actively growing, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot. Check 1–2 inches down: water when it feels slightly dry, and avoid letting the soil swing between very dry and very wet, which can reduce yield.

How can I tell when bronze is ready to harvest at around 75 days?

Harvest bronze when the pods/fruit reach full size and the color turns fully bronze (no green showing at the stem end) and the surface looks firm, not shriveled. For peak tenderness, pick when they’re still crisp-snap; if they feel soft or the plant starts to yellow heavily, you’ve waited too long for best texture.