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Endive is a salad plant that resembles lettuce, and is often used as a substitute for it, during the winter months.
The leaves are more bitter than lettuce, but 'blanching' the plant prior to harvesting can reduce this bitterness.
Week 16; Prepare beds for sowing by raking in a general fertilizer at 60gms per sq.metre (2oz/sq yd).
Week 17; Sow seed out in the open, into 12mm (1/2") deep drills in fertile soil.
Thin out seedlings to 300-400mm (12"-14") when large enough to handle
Week 42; Blanch both curled and broad-leaved endive as they approach maturity.
Blanching helps to reduce the bitter taste of leaves and takes up to three weeks, depending on the weather.
Ensure leaves are perfectly dry (cloching will help) before completely blanching by covering with a large inverted pot (with drainage hole plugged).
Tying in the leaves of the curled type also has a similar effect.
Cloche August-sown, broad-leaved endive before hard frosts begin.
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