Growing Endive

Cichorium endivia : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S S S S            
    T T T T T          
    P P P P            

(Best months for growing Endive in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): beans, brassicas, carrots, cucumbers, chervil, sage.
  • Avoid growing close to: Alliums (garlic and onions)
  • French endive ready for harvest

This is a green leafy plant which looks a bit like a crinkly lettuce. Slightly bitter taste which can enhance a salad bowl but if this is not wanted the bitterness can be removed by blanching. Blanch by tying the leaves together when a rosette begins to form or cover with a large pot for about 3 weeks. Relative of chicory.

Best grown in cooler months as hot weather might make it bolt to flower. Keep well watered to reduce bitterness. Water at base as water trapped inside leaves will cause rot.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Endive

Very tasty topped with grated swiss cheese and grilled for a couple of minutes to crisp up the cheese and wilt the leaves.

Can use in salads additional to lettuce, but needs a flavoursome dressing if you aren't overly fond of bitterness.

Your comments and tips

18 Jul 23, Flourez dominique (Australia - temperate climate)
Bonjour les amis , je suis retraité , né à Camphin en pevèle en France .Un habitant de mon village aécrit un livre du notre village ! Les villageois cutivaient cette plante , je peux vous transmettre , cet écrit ,avec de nombreuses photos ancienne ! J'étais aussi agriculteur , j'ai aussi produit les endives 4 ou 5 ans ! C'est très simple , " mais " sous le mot ENDIVE ou CHICOREE , il y a différentes variétés , ! Celles qui subissent un forçage ( depuis la racine , cultivée en terre dans la plaine , celle-ci est récoltée après au minimum 4 mois - maximum 8 mois ) pui , les racines sont stockées , les feuilles coupées en laissant un collet de 1 à 2 cm , reposée 15 jours à 3 semaines , pour etre disposée dans des silos de forçage ou couhe , ces endives reprennent des radicelles , recouverte de 2 à 4 cm de terre ! (c'est en fait une protection du froid , de la lumière .Le forçage peut à toutinstant commencer , des tuyauteries sont posée , depuis une chaudière à charbon qui elvoie l'eau chaude par les tuyauteries latérales , et retourne à la chaudière par un retour cental , L' endiviers posaient de la paille et des fims plastique pour garder la chaleur et l'humidité constante ! ..."Dans le village , pendant les hivers , il y avait 20 , 40 petites chadières au charbon qui forçaient les endives " Attetion , les endives forcées dans la terre sont bie meilleures que celles forcées en hydroponie...Rien à voir , les premières conservent en salade dans votre cave , couverte de parpier ' bleu foncé ' pendant 1 mois '...Toutes mes amicales pensées à Richard Collins , de " ENDIVES CALIFORNIA " venu chez nous pour une période de formation à la ferme de luchin je suis trop bavard , l'amitié , c'est la Vie Bientot , j'entre dans un jardin partagé , 40 personnes pour une vie nouvelle à réussir ensemble Amitiés Domionique
08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thnx for the great info on Endives. I didn't know what the endive looked like. I sowed some seed in containers and might plant them out tomorrow so it's great to see their compatability and what they look like. Cheers, Jane
22 Jan 18, Steve Williams (Australia - tropical climate)
I used to live in Sydney and greww Endive very easily, now i live in Cairns and cannot for the life of me get any up and running ? Nor can i buy it from anywhere , even Bunnings , Any info please ? ? Thanks Steve.
23 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
It says plant April to July in the tropics. Try Eden seeds on the internet for the seeds of Endives.
09 Jun 14, daniel muchiri from kenya (Australia - temperate climate)
is endive grown in kenya?
29 Nov 12, Ian (Australia - temperate climate)
I tried to grow endives only twice here it bunches up like lettuce not like I buy in the shop, I only grow it for the birds they love it. But mine they love ok but does grow big like what I can buy its about 18" high and the turn it in side out prity big bunches but mine as I said like small lettuce what am I doing wrong ?
18 Nov 16, Vanessa Lucas (Australia - temperate climate)
I think you are thinking of Belgian Endive, which is grown by cutting of the first growth which forces the root to produce the pale tight endive you buy in the shops here
30 Nov 16, Ruth (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Vanessa, I am looking to grow or buy Belgian endives in Brisbane. Do you know of any growers that supply Belgian Endives? Thanks very much.
04 Jan 17, vanessa (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry Ruth, not sure (I am in Sydney) Good luck though!

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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