Chicory
ChicoryHow do I sow curly endive outdoors?
Curly endive are hardy plants that can be sown outdoors from early spring, once the risk of frost has passed. To prepare the soil, it is advisable to weed it thoroughly and add a little compost to improve the soil structure.
For sowing, we recommend sowing the seeds about 0.5 cm deep and spacing them about 20 cm apart. Be sure to water regularly but not excessively to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
It's important to keep an eye out for attacks by slugs, snails and aphids, which can damage young plants. To avoid these pests, you can use natural methods such as mulching with dry leaves or crushed eggshells around the plants.
By following these simple tips, you should succeed in growing beautiful curly endive outdoors, to liven up your salads and summer dishes.
How do I harvest curly endive?
Curly endive can be harvested from autumn through to spring. To harvest chicory, simply cut off the outer leaves with a knife, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. Be careful not to tear off the entire plant. It is advisable to harvest chicory early in the morning to minimise the loss of nutrients and flavour.
Once harvested, chicory can be stored in the fridge for about a week. It's best to keep it in a perforated plastic bag to maintain moisture. If you prefer to keep chicory for longer, you can also freeze it. We recommend blanching the leaves before freezing to preserve their texture and flavour.
In conclusion, it's important to harvest chicory regularly to encourage new growth and extend the harvest period. By following these tips, you'll be able to enjoy delicious fresh salads for several months.
Chicory
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Asteraceae (composites)
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Medium
- Adult Height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 1 cm
- Plant Spacing : 20 cm
- Row Spacing : 30 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing