Endive & chicory
These slightly bitter leafy greens add a zing to salads. Endive is open-leaved, while chicory can be forced for blanched chicons. Often grown for autumn/winter harvests.
Endive & chicory seeds
£1.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
June – August, direct sow for autumn/winter harvests
Plant out
Thin seedlings to 20-30cm (8-12") apart
Harvest
September – March (for forced chicory), from 10-14 weeks after sowing
Conditions
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Keep soil consistently moist to prevent bitterness and bolting
Soil
Well-drained, fertile, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
20-30cm (8-12") between plants; 30-45cm (12-18") between rows
Containers
Suitable for large pots and containers, especially for forcing chicory
Indoors
Chicory roots are harvested and then forced in darkness indoors over winter
Care and harvest
Feeding
Not usually necessary if soil is good; a balanced liquid feed can be given if growth is slow
Pruning
Remove any yellowing or diseased outer leaves
Harvesting
Harvest whole heads when mature, or pick outer leaves for cut-and-come-again. Force chicory roots from late autumn.
Storage
Store in an airtight bag in the fridge for up to a week. Forced chicons last longer.
Good companions: Carrots, Radishes, Leeks