Cichorium endiviaCichorium endivia

Cichorium endivia

Endives

1. endive
2. escarole

1. endive
2. escarole

1. Endive
2. Escarole
3. Cichorium endivia

1. Tracheophytes
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Asterids

Aster family

1. Leaves

Endive (Cichorium endivia) is an essential late summer and autumn salad, prized for its characteristic bitter notes and hardiness.

Valued since antiquity, the endive likely originates from the Mediterranean and has been selected over centuries into two main forms: curly endive and smooth-leaved escarole.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionOutdoor sowing or starting indoors.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Direct sowing outdoors or starting indoors.

2. Tasksoil_preparation

   Label

   Prepare soil

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionBefore sowing or planting.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Loosen soil and enrich with compost.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionOutdoor sowing or starting indoors.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Direct sowing outdoors or starting indoors for later harvest.

2. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Planting out

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionAfter last frost.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Plant pre-grown seedlings into the bed.

3. Taskweeding

   Label

   Weeding

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionAs needed.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Remove weeds regularly to avoid competition.

1. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Planting out

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionAfter last frost.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Plant pre-grown seedlings into the bed.

2. Taskweeding

   Label

   Weeding

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionAs needed.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Remove weeds regularly to avoid competition.

3. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionDuring dry periods.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionPlants are mature.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest outer leaves to allow the plant to continue growing.

2. Taskweeding

   Label

   Weeding

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionAs needed.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Remove weeds regularly to avoid competition.

3. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionDuring dry periods.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionPlants are mature.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest outer leaves to allow the plant to continue growing.

2. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionDuring dry periods.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionPlants are mature.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest outer leaves to allow the plant to continue growing.

2. Tasksowing

   Label

   Resowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionFor late harvest.

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   A late sowing can extend the harvest period if conditions are favorable.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionPlants are mature.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest before the first hard frost.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionPlants are mature.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   The final harvest before winter.

2. Tasksoil_preparation

   Label

   Prepare soil

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionAfter harvest.

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Loosen soil and improve with organic matter if needed for the next year.

Full sun to partial shade

Sheltered

A sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil is ideal. Protection from strong winds is beneficial.

Humus-rich, loose, fertile

Well-drained

Prefers deep, moist, but not waterlogged soils. Improve clay soils.

Regularly, especially during dry periods

Preferably at the root zone to avoid leaf diseases.

Consistent moisture promotes growth and prevents bitterness. Avoid waterlogging at all costs.

1. Incorporate compost before planting
2. Liquid fertilizer if needed during the growing season

Endives are medium feeders. Over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen, can lead to bitter leaves.

Suitable for intercropping with beans, kohlrabi, and radishes. Do not plant next to potatoes.

1. Early potatoes
2. Early peas
3. Kohlrabi

1. Spinach
2. Lamb's lettuce
3. Green manure

Do not grow after other Asteraceae (like lettuce or salsify) to prevent disease transmission.

1. Slugstickstoffmangel

   Name

   Nitrogen deficiency

   Symptoms

   1. Pale, yellowish leaves
   2. Stunted growth

1. Slugschossen

   Name

   Bolting (Premature flowering)

   Causes

   1. Heat
   2. Drought stress
   3. Early sowing in low temperatures
2. Slugbitterkeit

   Name

   Excessive bitterness

   Causes

   1. Lack of water
   2. Heat
   3. Late harvest

1. Sucking insects
2. Mollusks (Slugs)

1. Fungal diseases
2. Rot pathogens

1. Wide spacing for good ventilation.
2. Water only from below to keep leaves dry.
3. Regular hoeing and weeding.

Pay close attention to the leaf undersides and the root collar for signs of rot or pests.

1. Slugdowny_mildew

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Damp weather
   2. Cool nights
   3. Water stagnation on leaves

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Choose resistant varieties
   2. Do not wet leaves

   Organic control

   1. Removal of infected leaves
   2. Horsetail extract for strengthening

1. Symptom

   Plant collapses and rots at the base

   Possible causes

   1. sclerotinia_rot
   2. waterlogging

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture
   2. Inspect for white mycelium

1. Germination
2. Rosette formation
3. Heading
4. Bolting (under stress)
5. Flowering (second year)
6. Seed ripening

As a biennial plant, endive forms a rosette in the first year and flowers in the second year following vernalization.

June to August (in the second year)

Light blue to violet

Flower head (capitulum)

July to November

September to October

Cut whole heads just above ground level or pick individual outer leaves.

Once for heading varieties; continuous for leaf/cutting varieties.

1. Firmness of heart leaves
2. Reaching variety-specific size
3. Complete rosette formation

Remove wilted outer leaves; wash briefly in cold water.

Short-term refrigerator storage

In the vegetable crisper for approx. 1 to 2 weeks.

1. Fresh consumption
2. Wrapping in damp cloth
3. Storage with root ball in sand (frost-free)

1. Not suitable for freezing
2. Lactic acid fermentation

Bitterness can be reduced by soaking briefly in lukewarm water or adding sugar/honey to the dressing.

Spicy, tart, distinctly bitter

1. Leaves
2. Heart

1. Roots (very woody)
2. Stems during flowering stage

Non-toxic. The bitter substances (intybin) are health-promoting and aid digestion.

Most common form of consumption as a salad.

Overwinter plants (frost-free), allow to flower the following year, and harvest seeds when heads turn brown.

Cross-pollinates with other Cichorium species such as wild chicory or radicchio.

Not applicable for endive, as it is an annual to biennial herbaceous vegetable crop.

If allowed to flower in the second year, the light blue blossoms provide an important food source for wild bees and hoverflies.

Cover the plants with fleece when frost is forecast to extend the harvest into December.