West Coast Seeds
West Coast Seeds (Benefine Organic Chicory)
West Coast Seeds (Benefine Organic Chicory)
Couldn't load pickup availability
We love the flavour of this très fine, frisée endive as much as its amazing uniform growth. The green outer edges of the rosette have a mature, bitter flavour that matches perfectly with the succulent and sweet blanched interior leaves.
The petioles are thick, with high moisture content, and have that wonderful taste that complements hot oil dressings. Benefine is compact and upright, with well-filled heads that are bolt resistant. The plants are frost hardy for fall growing, but also do well in warm weather, with high resistance to tipburn.
| Latin Name |
Cichorium endiva (endive) & C. intybus (radicchio) |
| Difficulty |
Endive is easy. Radicchio is moderately difficult. Belgian endive (witloof) is downright challenging – but worth the effort. |
| Exposure |
Full sun |
| Days to Sprout | 2-15 Days |
| Days to Mature | 48 days |
| Starting |
Either direct seed or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, and thin or transplant to allow 30-45cm (12-18″) between plants in rows 30-45cm (12-18″) apart. |
| Growing |
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Enrich soil with compost and add ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. Rapid, continuous growth is essential for good yields and high quality. Regular watering is essential. Fall plantings can be protected from rain by putting a cloche over them. Endive heads can be blanched to reduce bitterness by placing a cardboard or plastic disc on top. Radicchio requires a good supply of phosphorus and potassium, but will not head and may bolt if there is too much nitrogen available. Days to maturity shown are from date of direct sowing. If transplanting, subtract 10-15 days. |
Organic seed
Tres fine type frisee
Frost hardy
Heat tolerant
