Endive, pronounced on-dive (if you will), is closely related to its bitter leaf sibling radicchio and a part of the chicory family of leafy greens. For optimal growing conditions it is best grown through cooler times of our climate. Warm temperatures can prematurely send the plants to seed.
Like all chicory greens, it’s best practice to blanche inner stems of the plant nearing harvest by tying the foliage in a bunch.
Endive is not as bitter as radicchio and the perfect entry point to a world of bitter vegetables that are a perfect match to oily, rich foods and have digestive properties.
PLANTING
Sow seeds directly to the patch if conditions are mild/warm, otherwise propagate in a seed tray and then transplant to the patch when seedlings are 4 weeks old. Make sure to keep watering up to both seeds and seedlings – always in the morning – as young leafy greens are delicate to both the sun and snails/slugs.
WATERING
In ground: Water daily for the first 4 weeks and 3-4 times a week in the absence of rainfall thereafter. More frequent watering may be required during the warmer times of the year.
In Pots: Water daily while establishing and for the entirety of the warm season, otherwise every second day – after they are 4 weeks old – if growing during the cooler times of the year.
MAINTENANCE
When your plants are young it is often worthwhile to protect them with plastic collars to prevent snail and slug damage, particularly when conditions are very wet. To avoid exacerbating the issue, make sure to water in the morning rather than in the evening.
Mulch around your plants once they are settled into the patch, using pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane mulch to a depth of 3-5cm.
Feed your plants every 4 weeks with a liquid seaweed solution, but with something nitrogen heavy – fish fertiliser is ideal – once your plants are 10 weeks old, this helps to create denser hearts, which for us is the ultimate prize from Radicchio.
To achieve the characteristic red colouring and white heads, you will need to blanch your plants. Blanching excludes sunlight from the heads so that they lose their chlorophyll. Generally you need to start the blanching process 2 – 3 weeks before harvest. There are a couple of easy ways to do it; either by using its own leaves or by placing a pot over the plant.
HARVESTING
When planting from seed it will be approximately 8-10 weeks if you choose to harvest leaf by leaf, however it will be closer to 16 weeks if you are after harvesting as a fully formed head, with its inner white stems.
TIP
Even thought endive can be grown at most times of the year, growing it during the cooler seasons will result in better tasting and developed endive hearts.
