Broadleaf Batavian Endive, Chicory
Key Attributes
Broadleaf Batavian endive seeds produce a vigorous leafy green with broad, dark green leaves that add a hearty texture and distinctive, mildly bitter flavor to various dishes. To plant these seeds, start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or sow them directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer for a fall crop. Space the seeds about 12 inches apart, either in rows or as a direct sowing, and plant them ¼ inch deep. If starting indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors once they are 3-4 inches tall and all danger of frost has passed.
Broadleaf Batavian endive thrives in cool weather and prefers full sun to partial shade. Keep the soil rich, moist, and well-drained, and provide regular watering to prevent drought stress. The endive grows well in cooler temperatures, making it suitable for early spring or late summer planting. Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender, usually 70-80 days after sowing, by picking the outer leaves or cutting the entire plant at the base. For a continuous supply, sow seeds in intervals, ensuring a fresh harvest of this flavorful green throughout the growing season.
Key Attributes
Product Details
Weight
0.007Depth
0.1Height
4.5Width
3.25Plant Height
24-48"Botanical Name
Cichorium endiviaSeed Type
SeedAdditional Characteristics
All American SelectionEndive Head Type
EndiveSeeds Per Gram
812Seeds Per Pound
368,000Row Spacing
12-18"Packet
1,000 SeedsSow Depth
1/4"Seeds Per Ounce
23,000Fruit Color
GreenBreed
Open-polliantedSun
Full Sun / Partial ShadeTypes
EndiveFruit
Medium GreenLife Cycle
AnnualSow Method
TransplantPlant Spacing
8-10"Categories
ChicoryGermination
11,12,5,6,7,8,9,10Days To Maturity (# Days)
70-80Components
Growing Instructions
Learning Download: How to Grow Chicory
Chicory is a great addition to any salad, and varietals include the more commonly known endive and radicchio. The leafy vegetable offers a nutty flavor to salads. Chicory is a cool-weather plant, tolerating the occasional frost.
Before Planting: Chicory is hardy and can be planted when frost is still around in spring. It is a cool weather crop and grows best at temperatures of 55–65°F. Careful variety selection is important for hot weather plantings.
Planting: For direct seeding, seeds will germinate from 45–85°F with highest germination at 75°F, depending on the variety and seed lot. Sow seeds 1″ apart, rows 12–18″ apart. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8″, and tap soil down gently. Thin to 8″ apart. Keep soil uniformly moist during germination and early growing. For transplanting, sow 2-3 seeds in cells, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Shade the flats on sunny, warm days if necessary to keep the soil surface cool, below 70°F, until germination. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 4-5 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as 20°F. Transplant 8″ apart in rows 18″ apart. Transplant shallowly so that the base of the plant will be slightly above the soil to discourage bottom rot. For salad mix/baby leaf, sow 3-4 seeds per inch. Cover seeds lightly, about 1/8″, tap soil down gently and keep surface moist until emergence (3-10 days). Harvest at 5-6 weeks.
Watering: Chicory requires attentive weeding and well-drained soil. Water 1-2 inches per week.
Fertilizer: To retain moisture, add mulch around the plants. Fertilize with a nitrogen-based fertilizer.
Days to Maturity: Chicory leaves are ready to harvest when they reach about 12 to 18 inches in height. (See each variety for days to maturity)
Harvesting: Pull the plant, roots included, from the soil gently and chop off the root, but keep the leaves. If you plan on forcing chicory to grow chicons, cut the leaves so 1 inch remains above soil and follow the forcing process.
Tips: Chicory does best in full sun in a soil with a pH of 5.5 or greater.
AVG. Direct Seeding Rate: 1M/220′, 5M/1,100′, 10M/2,200′, 131M/acre at 3 seeds every 8″ in rows 18″ apart.
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The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, to genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems, and ultimately to healthy people and communities.
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