How to Grow Belgian Endive

Belgiuan endive, also known as witloof chicory, sometimes sells in grocery stores for several dollars a pound. This buttery, tender vegetable is a delicacy you can easily sprout and grow yourself, giving you fresh vegetables to enjoy all year round.

Things You'll Need

• Garden fork
• Rake
• Witloof chicory seeds
• Pruning shears
• Box of peat moss
• Containers, 16 or more inches deep
• Soil
• Sawdust or sand

Instructions

Grow the Endive

1. Prepare the soil. Your Belgian endive needs well-worked soil for growing. Dig the site with a garden fork, breaking up any clods of dirt and smoothing the spot with a rake when you're done.

2. Plant a short row of witloof chicory seeds in May or June. Water well to give the plants a good start, and you should have seedlings in a week or two.

3. Thin the young plants to 5 inches apart when they have grown large enough to grasp.

4. Weed and water your Belgian endive regularly to ensure good growth.

Harvest the Roots

1. Let the plants endure several small freezes before you dig them up, but get to them before the ground freezes solid. Dig them carefully with your garden fork.

2. Save the largest roots to sprout first. Plants with roots at least 1 inch in diameter make good starters for sprouting.

3. Cut the leafy crown from the plant, leaving a 1-inch stub. At the same time, trim the side roots entirely and the main root to about 9 inches.

4. Fill a box with peat moss and place in a cool place. Store your Belgian endive roots here until you are ready to force them.

Force the Plants

1. Plant the Belgian endive roots in containers filled with 10 inches of soil. Pack the roots tightly together with a little soil between them. Make sure they are not exposed to the air.

2. Cover the crowns with at least 6 inches of sawdust or sand. This blanches the shoots by slowing their exposure to light while they grow.

3. Keep the pots at about 50 or 60 degrees to start sprouting. Keeping them at 32 to 40 degrees will prevent sprouting. Do this if you want to wait before sprouting.

4. Water the roots when you bring them into the 50 or 60 degree room. Water weekly after that. It will take 2 or 3 weeks for them to sprout.

5. Cut the head when the top shows through the top layer of sawdust or sand. You can cut them at 3 inches if you simply can't wait.

6. Replace the sawdust and harvest again in 2 or 3 more weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Young Belgian endive does not seem to be attractive to insects.

• Don't eat the young leaves; they're bitter.