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Sugar Loaf Endive Seeds

Cichorium intybus

5.00 (4 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Endive makes an excellent fall crop, since light frost sweetens the taste, and excess heat causes bitterness in the leaves or bolting. For an early summer crop, sow green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds indoors 2 months before the last spring frost; sow them 1/4" deep. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 6" apart. Four weeks after planting them, set them outside 12" apart. For a fall crop, direct sow green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds in July. Water the ground, scatter the seeds on the surface, then cover with 1/3" of soil. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 12" in all directions. Areas with warmer winters may be able to plant a winter crop about two months before the last frost.

Growing: Keep the soil moist to prevent toughness or a bitter taste, but avoid getting the leaves wet as this may cause rotting. Mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds. If desired, blanch the leaves about 2-3 weeks before harvesting by tying together the outer leaves to shade the inner part of the plant. Make sure that the leaves of the plant are completely dry before tying them, or rotting may result.

Harvesting: Cut individual leaves for baby greens as soon as they reach a good size for eating. Cut mature heads off at the base. For additional growth, leave an inch of stem.

Seed Saving: Endive needs to be overwintered in order to produce seed. For areas with severe winters, this requires cutting the plant down to 2" and storing the roots in a humid location in damp sand at 33-40 degrees F until spring, when they can be replanted. Endive can survive milder winters with a thick layer of mulch. Allow the plant to flower and go to seed; when the seed heads are dry and the seeds feel dry and firm, spread them out on a surface to dry for at least 10 days. Either plant the seed heads whole or clean them by putting them in a bag and applying pressure with a heavy weight. Store green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds in a cool, dry place for up to eight years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Cichorium intybus

Type: Open Pollinated, Cool Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 25,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green

Sugar Loaf Endive Seeds 5.0
Review By Al

Great seeds

I've been ordering from Everwilde for over 10 years. The germination rates are always excellent and the shipping is lightening fast!

Sugar Loaf Endive Seeds 5.0
Review By Good germination!

Excellent quality seeds.

Thank you Everwilde for your great packaging, and we're glad to find you carry this variety of lettuce. We traditionally plant it in august here in the Pacific Northwest then harvest before the frost gets heavy. It stores well in a cool dry place (garage) we'll slice it very fine into warm water, which removes the bitterness then toss in a homemade garlic vinegarette. It's truly divine for fall and winter salads!

Sugar Loaf Endive Seeds 5.0
Review By Neal Himmerich

great seed source

Great source for garden seeds. Excellent prices and you can't beat the packaging.

Sugar Loaf Endive Seeds 5.0
Review By Kit Kan

SoCal Grower

I appreciate the value and efficiency of Everwilde. Endives grow wild in my garden and I love them for it. I'm a fairly lazy gardener because I don't have a lot of time but I appreciate homegrown food. Haven't tried this variety before but so far germination has been excellent.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~1,000 Seeds) $3.25 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~25,000 Seeds) $8.46 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $17.76 Notify Me
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $63.00 $54.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

Strongly resembling the more familiar Romaine lettuce, this gourmet endive variety is valued by chefs in France and Italy. The light green leaves form compact heads weighing 2-4 pounds, and it's slightly bitter flavor adds a unique flavor to any salad.
Endive, a member of the chicory family, most likely originated in Egypt or the Mediterranean region. Pliny the Elder praised its medicinal properties, stating that it purified the blood and cured insomnia. By 1200 AD, many varieties of endive were known throughout Europe; the first American reference to this vegetable comes from an 1806 cookbook. Endive still thrives in the gardens and kitchens of Mediterranean countries, where it often makes a tasty addition to salads.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Endive makes an excellent fall crop, since light frost sweetens the taste, and excess heat causes bitterness in the leaves or bolting. For an early summer crop, sow green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds indoors 2 months before the last spring frost; sow them 1/4" deep. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 6" apart. Four weeks after planting them, set them outside 12" apart. For a fall crop, direct sow green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds in July. Water the ground, scatter the seeds on the surface, then cover with 1/3" of soil. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 12" in all directions. Areas with warmer winters may be able to plant a winter crop about two months before the last frost.

Growing: Keep the soil moist to prevent toughness or a bitter taste, but avoid getting the leaves wet as this may cause rotting. Mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds. If desired, blanch the leaves about 2-3 weeks before harvesting by tying together the outer leaves to shade the inner part of the plant. Make sure that the leaves of the plant are completely dry before tying them, or rotting may result.

Harvesting: Cut individual leaves for baby greens as soon as they reach a good size for eating. Cut mature heads off at the base. For additional growth, leave an inch of stem.

Seed Saving: Endive needs to be overwintered in order to produce seed. For areas with severe winters, this requires cutting the plant down to 2" and storing the roots in a humid location in damp sand at 33-40 degrees F until spring, when they can be replanted. Endive can survive milder winters with a thick layer of mulch. Allow the plant to flower and go to seed; when the seed heads are dry and the seeds feel dry and firm, spread them out on a surface to dry for at least 10 days. Either plant the seed heads whole or clean them by putting them in a bag and applying pressure with a heavy weight. Store green sugar loaf endive romaine lettuce seeds in a cool, dry place for up to eight years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Cichorium intybus

Type: Open Pollinated, Cool Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 25,000

Planting Method: From Transplant

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 4 reviews
5.0

Review By Al

Great seeds

I've been ordering from Everwilde for over 10 years. The germination rates are always excellent and the shipping is lightening fast!

5.0

Review By Good germination!

Excellent quality seeds.

Thank you Everwilde for your great packaging, and we're glad to find you carry this variety of lettuce. We traditionally plant it in august here in the Pacific Northwest then harvest before the frost gets heavy. It stores well in a cool dry place (garage) we'll slice it very fine into warm water, which removes the bitterness then toss in a homemade garlic vinegarette. It's truly divine for fall and winter salads!

5.0

Review By Neal Himmerich

great seed source

Great source for garden seeds. Excellent prices and you can't beat the packaging.

5.0

Review By Kit Kan

SoCal Grower

I appreciate the value and efficiency of Everwilde. Endives grow wild in my garden and I love them for it. I'm a fairly lazy gardener because I don't have a lot of time but I appreciate homegrown food. Haven't tried this variety before but so far germination has been excellent.