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How to Grow Chicory and Belgian Endive

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Chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio are cool weather crops. Chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio are different varieties of the same plant, Cichorium intybus.

Chicory and Belgian endive quick growing tips

  • Sow chicory seed in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring.
  • Grow chicory and radicchio in temperatures ranging from 45° to 75°F (7-24°C).
  • Plant chicory and radicchio so that they come to harvest in cool weather.

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How are chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio the same and different

Chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio are different varieties of the same plant, Cichorium intybus.

  • Chicory produces a rosette of green leaves that can be used in salads. Chicory is a hardy perennial with a long, fleshy taproot, a rosette of leaves, and a branched flower stalk topped with pale blue flowers. Chicory has two stages of development. The first stage produces the rosette of leaves and the harvestable root. In the second stage, the harvested root is re-buried upright in damp sand or soil until it produces a new sprout or narrow head of blanched, pale green leaves known as Belgian endives. The dried, fleshy taproot of chicory can be ground and used as a substitute for coffee.
  • Radicchio, also called Italian chicory, is grown for its rosette of broad red leaves used in salads; its leaves are similar to the leaves of chicory but with a more biting flavor. Radicchio often forms a head 3 to 5 inches (7-12cm) across.
  • Belgian endive (also called Belgian chicory) is grown for its pale-green, tightly-wrapped leaves used in salads; the plant near maturity is trimmed and buried in damp sand and grown on to create a dense, succulent blanched head.

Chicory and endive (as differentiated from Belgian endive) should not be confused. They belong to the same botanical family and often are used interchangeably, but they are not the same plant. Chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio are the plant Cichorium intybus. Endive and escarole are the plant Cichorium endivia. If you want to produce chicory root or the Belgian endive grow chicory; if you want to grow red-leafed radicchio choose a radicchio cultivar. If you are growing endive specifically for greens, grow endive or escarole.

Chicory
Chicory

Where to plant chicory and radicchio

  • Grow chicory and radicchio in full sun; it will tolerate partial shade.
  • Plant chicory and radicchio in soil rich in organic matter that is well-drained and free of lumps that might cause the roots to fork or split.
  • Add aged garden compost to planting beds before growing.
  • Chicory and radicchio prefer a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.8.

When to plant chicory

  • Chicory and radicchio are hardy, cool-season perennials grow best in spring and early summer in cold winter regions and in fall and winter in warm-winter regions.
  • Sow chicory seeds in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring. Cool temperatures produce the sweetest-tasting chicory and radicchio.
  • Grow chicory and radicchio in temperatures ranging from 45° to 75°F (7-24°C).
  • Chicory and radicchio require 85 to 100 days to come to harvest depending upon the variety.
  • Belgian endive heads are most often grown indoors as the second stage of plant growth; the climate is not a factor.

Planting and spacing chicory and radicchio

  • Sow chicory and radicchio seed ¼ inch deep and 1 to 2 inches (2.5-7.6cm) apart.
  • Space rows 24 to 36 inches (61-91cm) apart.
  • Thin plants from 6 to 18 inches (15-45cm) apart when the seedlings are four inches tall. You can eat the thinnings.
  • Yield: For chicory root, plant 1 to 2 plants per household member. For radicchio, grow 5 to 6 plants per household member. For Belgian endive plants 6 to 8 plants per household member.
  • Companion plants: plant chicory and radicchio with other greens, but not with peas or beans.
Radicchio in garden
Radicchio

Growing chicory for roots

  • Grow chicory for its roots in organically rich soil cultivated to 18 inches (45cm) deep.
  • Roots will be ready for harvest about 120 days after planting.

Growing radicchio

  • Choose from heading and semi-heading varieties. Radicchio is best planted for fall harvest.
  • Sow seeds in the garden 85 days before the first frost in fall; radicchio requires a long, cool season.
  • Place a plastic mulch or plastic sheeting around the radicchio plants–white, black, or clear. Growing radicchio on plastic, not the soil, will increase the heading percentage significantly.
Belgian endive also called Belgian chicory

Growing Belgian endive

  • To produce a blanched head, dig up the chicory root and cut off the top about 2 inches (5cm) above the crown or top of the root.
  • In a cool, humid place such as an outdoor pit, cold frame, or root cellar, bury the root to force it to produce a blanched sprout: first, cut off the root tip so that the root is 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) long; set the root upright at a slight angle in a box, pot, or other container filled with fine sand or a mix of sand and aged compost just covering the top; water thoroughly, and keep at a temperature of 60° to 70°F (15-21°C). The tight, pale-green head will develop in 3 to 4 weeks.

Container growing

  • Radicchio can be grown in a container. Choose a container 6 inches deep or deeper.
  • Chicory roots can be grown in a deep container.

Chicory and radicchio care

  • Water and feeding: Keep plants evenly moist. Add aged compost to planting beds before planting and again at midseason.
  • Pests and diseases: Chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio have no serious pest or disease problems.

How to harvest chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio

  • Chicory root will require 85 to 100 days to come to harvest.
  • Belgian endive will require 3 to 4 weeks after starting the forcing and blanching process; cutaway leaves when they are 5 to 6 inches (12-15cm) about 1 inch (2.5cm) above the soil and bury the plant to grow to harvest when new heads are 3 to 5 inches (7.6-12cm) in diameter.
  • Radicchio is ready for harvest when leaves are 3 to 5 inches tall when a head has formed or leaves can be harvested loose.

Storing chicory, Belgian endive, and radicchio

  • Chicory will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week; roots will keep for 4 to 5 months.
  • Radicchio and Belgian endive will keep in the refrigerator for about 1 week.

Chicory and radicchio varieties to grow

  • Cutting chicory: ‘Biondissima Trieste’ (40 days); ‘Ceriolo’ (120 days); ‘Puntarella’ (120 days); ‘San Paquale’; ‘Spandona’ (40 days); ‘Sugar Loaf’.
  • Belgian endive: ‘Flash’; ‘Galia’; ‘Red C’ (80 days); ‘Witloof Robin’ (60-150 days); ‘Witloof Zoom’ (110 days).
  • Radicchio: ‘Carmen’ (75 days); ‘Castle Franco’ (85 days); ‘Chioggia’ (80 days); ‘Early Treviso’ (80 days); ‘Giulio’ (60-100 days); ‘Milan’ (90 days); ‘Prima Rossa’; ‘Red Treviso’ (85 days); ‘Red Verona’; ‘Rossa di Verona’ (85 days); ‘Rossana Radicchio’ (90 days); ‘Rouge de Verone’ (85 days).

About chicory and Belgain endive

  • Common name. Chicory, witloof, French endive, Belgian endive, succory.
  • Botanical name. Cichorium intybus
  • Origin. Asia, Europe

Related articles:

How to Grow Chicory and Belgian Endive

How to Cook and Serve Belgian Endive

How to Plant and Grow Radicchio

Radicchio Seed Starting Tips

How to Harvest and Store Radicchio

Four Ways to Cook and Serve Radicchio

How to Plant and Grow Endive and Escarole

Edive and Escarole Seed Starting Tips

How to Harvest and Store Endive and Escarole

Escarole and Curly Endive Serving Tips

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Written by Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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