Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Fennel Bronze — Herbs | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Fennel Bronze
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

16-25days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z4–9USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow in spring after last frost or fall. Does not transplant well due to taproot. Allow some plants to self-seed.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: Low to moderate, drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil, tolerates poor soils
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Spacing: 12-18 inches
Height: 4-6 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bronze-purple feathery foliage with yellow umbrella-shaped flowers
Size: Fine, thread-like leaves, flowers in 4-6 inch umbels
Shape: Tall, upright perennial with feathery, fern-like foliage
Flavour: Sweet anise or licorice flavor with aromatic intensity, similar to dill but sweeter

In the kitchen

Fish dishes, Mediterranean cuisine, salads, herb blends, seeds for baking and tea, flowers as garnish

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, swallowtail butterfly caterpillars (which are beneficial for butterfly gardens)
Diseases: Crown rot in poorly drained soils, otherwise very disease resistant
Resistance: Generally disease resistant, very hardy

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

DillBoth are umbellifer family members that attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

CorianderAnother umbelliferous herb that shares similar growing conditions and attracts predatory insects

NasturtiumActs as a trap crop for aphids and adds beneficial ground cover

MarigoldRepels nematodes and various garden pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

ChivesHelps repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects that may attack fennel

LettuceBenefits from fennel's pest-repelling properties and doesn't compete for nutrients

CucumberFennel may help deter cucumber beetles and other cucumber pests

CabbageFennel helps repel cabbage moths and other brassica pests

Avoid

TomatoFennel may inhibit tomato growth and can negatively affect fruit development

BeanFennel's allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce nitrogen fixation

KohlrabiDespite helping other brassicas, fennel can inhibit kohlrabi's bulb development

CarawayBoth herbs can cross-pollinate and may compete aggressively for similar resources

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 23
Protein (g): 3.15
Fat (g): 0.64
Carbohydrate (g): 2.65
Fibre (g): 1.6
Sugars (g): 0.3
Vitamin A (µg): 264
Vitamin C (mg): 18
Vitamin E (mg): 0.8
Vitamin K (µg): 415
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.155
Folate (µg): 68
Calcium (mg): 177
Iron (mg): 3.17
Magnesium (mg): 64
Phosphorus (mg): 56
Potassium (mg): 295
Zinc (mg): 0.81
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousSummer Savory Next →Moroccan Mint

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the herbs growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Fennel Bronze

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Fennel Bronze?

Similar varieties