Cichorium endivia

Cultivation

Plant seedlings with root clods or directly to the regular spot. It grows at above 5 °C (41 °F), optimum temperatures for growth and development being around 18 °C (64 °F). In hot days, provide shading for the seedlings or transplanted plants. Cut a part of the leaves of the seedlings without the root clod. Don’t cover with garden fabric until night temperatures don’t fall under 0 °C (32 °F).

Distance between plants

At least 40 cm (15 in) between rows and at least 40 cm (15 in) between plants in a row.

Location

Half-shaded.

Amount

Two to four plants per person in one planting.

Time of planting

February-March, June.

Fertilization

Fertilize with home compost and wood ash, and water occasionally with comfrey or algae brew.

Watering

It needs regular watering to make the leaves softer.

Endive’s good neighbors

Broccoli, zucchini, beans, peas, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, leek, cabbage, dill.

Endive’s bad neighbors

Radicchio.

Diseases and pests

Wireworms, root lice, fungal diseases.

Endive’s storage

Cut regularly when needed. It can survive as low temperatures as -5 °C (23 °F). To store, pull the whole plant out, clean the roots (don’t wash with water), wrap into newspaper and hang with roots up.

Food

Use fresh leaves. Boiled can be used as well in some dishes. They contain vitamins, minerals and quite a lot of fiber.

Important

Keep the soil soft. There are two main varieties, escarole endive and curly endive, the second being more resistant to disease, drought and excessive moisture. It is sensitive to the length of the day and should be sown in early spring and June (to use in fall).

Miscellaneous

It is a near relative of radicchio, but is often called lettuce mistakenly.