Often seen in mixed salads or Mediterranean dishes, Endive (Cichorium endivia) packs a real flavour hit and good looks to boot! With its curly leaves and strong taste, it makes a real impact on your dishes and in your garden.
How to grow endive in a garden
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Keep the soil moist so the seeds don’t dry out.
- While the seedlings are growing, choose a sunny spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. You can also sow direct into the garden bed once the soil has been enriched with organic matter.
- Once seedlings have emerged, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. Allow seedlings to grow to about 4 - 6 cm before transplanting.
- When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are spaced at least 20 cm apart. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as sugar cane or pea straw and water in well.
- Feed weekly with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to ensure strong root development and lush green leaves.
- Harvest the entire plant after 10 weeks or regularly harvest the leaves as they grow to add to your favourite salads.
How to grow endive in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and position in a sunny spot and protect from strong winds.
- Fill starter trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover and gently water. Keep the soil moist throughout germination.
- Once seedlings reach a height of 4 – 6 cm, fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Choose healthy seedlings and transplant into pot and water in well.
- Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food to ensure strong root development and lush green leaves.
- Harvest the entire plant after 10 weeks or regularly harvest the leaves as they grow to add to your favourite salads.
Growing tips
- Endive leaves provide a slightly bitter tang to salads.
- If you are not fond of the bitterness, remove this by placing a thick layer of straw mulch or a large plastic pot over the leaves three weeks prior to harvest. This process is called blanching and will remove the bitter taste.
- It is a popular addition to Mediterranean salads and dishes.
Beans
If you are looking for an easy vegie to grow, beans are an ideal choice.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa sprouts grow quickly, sprouting in just 3 to 5 days. You can grow them in a glass jar or a small tray & are great fun for kids.
Artichokes
It's a 'tops and bottoms' tale when it comes to artichokes. There are 2 different varieties to choose from - Jerusalem or Globe artichokes.
Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser
Create organic nutrient rich soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter for better root growth, stronger plants and more flowers and fruit.
Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food
Yates Thrive Vegie and Herb Concentrate is a complete liquid plant food that provides balanced nutrition.
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