Endive is a slightly bitter-tasting salad vegetable related to dandelions and chicory. It is easy to grow and can be harvested most of the year. It withstands a light frost., but a winter crop needs protection. Eat as a seedling crop, picked as loose leaves, or as blanched mature heads. Endive fares better than lettuce in the low light levels of winter. It is suitable for containers.

Crop Diversity- There are two types, Escarole, also called Batavian endive, is a broad leaved, hardy upright plant, good for winter cropping. Frisee or curled endives are short, squat plants with frizzy leaves, more heat-tolerant and mostly used for summer and autumn crops. Organic cultivars such as Batavian Endive and Tres Fine Mariachere Endive are available.

Ideal Site- Endive is not fussy but winter crops need a well drained sheltered site on relatively infertile soil. Light shade is tolerated in summer. The Frisee types are very attractive. Endive is a useful winter crop in a cool greenhouse or hoop house. No soil treatment is needed if the site was improved by a previous crop. Otherwise use a low-fertility soil improver prior to planting.. Ideal soil pH is 5.5- 7.5

Seed to Harvest- 7-13 weeks for mature heads, quicker for seedling or loose leaf harvest.

Cultivation- The minimum germination temperature is 68F (20C). If temperatures fall below 40F (4C) for 20 days or more seedlings will bolt. Undercover: Sow in April for growing under cover. Sow in May for transplanting outdoors. Best raised in cell packs for transplanting. Sow again in autumn for a protected winter crop.
 

 

Outside: Sow in June – early July in shallow rows for autumn harvest. Sow in August for a winter crop protected with row covers, cloches, or frames. Sow from April-September for harvesting as seedling crops, or for young leaves. Grow early or late season crops under row cover or cloches or in an unheated hoop house or greenhouse.

Spacing- Rows-  12 x 14 in (30 x 35cm): Block Planting: 12in (30cm)

Plant Care- Water in dry weather. Use cloches in cold weather. Mature plants can be blanched.

Problems- Slugs, aphids, Basal rots can be a problem in winter- grow in well-drained soil, and keep the leaves dry.

Harvesting- Cut seedling crop when 4-6in (10-15cm) tall. Pick leaves as needed or when convenient size. Cut mature heads, blanched if preferred. Cut stems may regrow to provide another crop.

Nutrients- Endive is a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.