The De Meaux endive (Cichorium endivia) is an exceptional, early curly variety that delights not only with its appearance but also with its flavour. It forms large, loose rosettes consisting of dark green, heavily fringed leaves with a slightly bitter, refreshing aroma typical of high-quality endive. The interior of the rosette features more delicate, lighter leaves in a white-green shade, adding finesse and elegance to dishes. In the kitchen, this variety works excellently; it blends perfectly with salads and vegetable dishes, while blanching or gentle stewing gives it an exceptionally subtle taste.
Seeds of the De Meaux endive should be sown at a depth of 2 to 3 cm. Placing them in the soil at this level ensures appropriate moisture and even emergence, which is key to obtaining strong, healthy seedlings.
Sowing directly into the ground is best carried out in May, once the soil is well warmed and the risk of frost is practically non-existent. This is the ideal moment to start cultivation to enjoy an abundant crop before autumn.
Under covers, sowing can begin from May to June. Such a solution allows for the preparation of strong seedlings, which take root faster after transplanting into the ground and yield exceptionally substantial rosettes.
Seedlings are planted out in July or August, when the young plants are already well developed and resistant to changing atmospheric conditions.
During planting, maintain a spacing of 30 x 30 cm. Thanks to this, every plant has enough space for development, creating impressive, full rosettes without the risk of being crowded by neighbouring specimens.
Harvests fall between September and October. This is when the leaves reach their ideal size and full flavour. During this time, it is worth applying a blanching process; the leaves are tied or gently covered to limit access to light. As a result, they lose their characteristic bitterness and become more delicate and crunchy.
This endive grows best in well-sunlit places, in fertile, slightly moist, and permeable soil. It can be cultivated both from seedlings and from direct sowing into the ground. Regular watering is of key importance; the plant tolerates dryness poorly, so it is worth maintaining constant substrate moisture. Two weeks before harvesting, blanching the leaves is recommended, which makes them milder in taste. Thanks to simple care treatments, the plant rewards the grower with a healthy, magnificent yield.
By choosing GardenSeedsMarket, you can be sure that you are receiving top-quality seeds that are fresh, proven, and carefully selected. Every batch undergoes a quality check, which guarantees high germination capacity and a healthy start for your plants. The store ensures fast, safe shipping, as well as professional service and expert support in selecting varieties for your garden. This is a guarantee of successful cultivation and satisfaction with results that will delight not only you but all household members.
The package contains 0.5 g of seeds. Information regarding cultivation principles and the sowing use-by date can be found on the packaging.
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