{"product_id":"ks-sw-zs-01-ks-belgian-endive","title":"KS-SW-ZS-01 KS belgian endive","description":"ks-sw-zs-01-ks-belgian-endive KS-SW-ZS-01 KS belgian endive \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/restorationseeds.mom\/pages\/table-menu2\"\u003eChicorium intybus\u003c\/a\u003e##\n\u003cdiv class=\"how-to-grow-trigger how-to-grow-title\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eHOW TO GROW BELGIAN ENDIVE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"icon-down-arrow\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"how-to-grow-content\"\u003eGrowing Belgian Endive is a 3 step process. Growing roots, storing them and forcing the roots. Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant after last frost. Time root harvest so storage area is sufficiently cold. The tightly folded small heads, called chicons, are produced by forcing new growth from fall harvested roots. Optimal root shoulder diameter for harvest is 1-1\/4–2\/1\/4” and 7” length. Cure roots in the field shaded 4-5 days then store 32–34˚F with 96–98% humidity. Force 1\/2–3\/4 of root length in moist soilless mix with bottom heat in complete darkness. Air temp should be 5–6˚F cooler than soil temp of 60 to 70˚F. Harvest about 5” heads in 21–24 days. Washing can cause chicons to brown. Soil pH 5.8-6.5. Hardiness zones 4-9. Perennial.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsual seed life 5 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1\/2 mile.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlanting Depth \u003cb\u003e1\/4”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoil Temp. Germ. \u003cb\u003e50˚F\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDays to Germ. \u003cb\u003e5-15\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlant Spacing \u003cb\u003e23\/12\/20143”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRow Spacing \u003cb\u003e18”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDays To Maturity \u003cb\u003e130–140\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFull Sun\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eMoist Well Drained\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n##Endive has a small head of cream-colored, bitter leaves. It is often sold wrapped in blue paper to protect it from light and also to preserve its pale color and delicate flavor. The smooth, creamy white leaves may be served stuffed, baked, boiled, cut and cooked in a cream sauce, or simply cut raw. The tender leaves are slightly bitter; the whiter the leaf, the less bitter the taste. Also known as witloof. Tags: Harvest: Early, Color: Yellow, Season: Spring Fall Winter, Certification: Biodynamic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHorace mentions endive in reference to his own diet, which he describes as very simple: \"As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance\". The technique for growing blanched Belgian endives was accidentally discovered in the 1850s in Schaerbeek, Belgium. Endive is grown completely underground or indoors in the absence of sunlight in order to prevent the leaves from turning green and opening up (etiolation). The plant has to be kept just below the soil surface as it grows, only showing the very tip of the leaves. Today France is the largest producer of endive. Delicious \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/search\/pins\/?q=belgian%20endive%20recipes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eendive recipes\u003c\/a\u003e. greens Harvest: Early, Color: Yellow, Season: Spring Fall Winter, Certification: Biodynamic","brand":"RESTORATION SEEDS","offers":[{"title":"75 Seeds","offer_id":8922377925,"sku":"11205","price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"750 Seeds","offer_id":31506390351914,"sku":"","price":12.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0129\/8922\/products\/Endive_KS-SW-ZS_6343f6de-5bc4-4b4b-a38a-1e7d3456ec20.jpg?v=1484595560","url":"https:\/\/www.restorationseeds.mom\/products\/ks-sw-zs-01-ks-belgian-endive","provider":"RESTORATION SEEDS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}