Mix, Bitter Is Better (Organic)
Cichorium intybus and Cichorium endivia. 30-60 days.
Inspired by the delightful Sagra di Radicchio in Seattle, we bring you Bitter Is Better! This seed blend is a celebration of the Cichorium family of delicious, sweet, bitter greens and includes a diverse selection of chicory, radicchio, escarole, and endive. Leaf types vary from frisée to broad-leafed, heads range from rosettes, to open-headed, to tightly wrapped, with colors across the full spectrum from golden-green to deepest dark red. Suitable for either cut-and-come-again salad greens cultivation, or for a truly diverse assortment of head Cichorium. For best flavor, we recommend this mix for cool season production. #bitterisbetter
Sow indoors with good potting soil February through September. Transplant into the garden 3-4 weeks after sprouting. In our area, chicory can grow through the winter without protection but is best when sown in June or July for this purpose. Alternatively, direct sow March through August.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from 10 or more plants in second year when seeds have dried down. Cut whole plants, place on tarp, then dance and stomp to free the seed. Or place dry plants on tarps and drive on them. Screen and winnow to clean. Isolate from other Cichorium sp. by ½ mile.
huntresscat (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? Washington
Sowed in my kitchen garden late summer in the shady section of the garden and added the shelter of a cold frame glass in mid-winter. This yielded nice cutting greens and now, early spring, we have a few small heads of greens. I didn’t thin as much as I intended to and next time I’ll cover this mix earlier in the winter or in the late fall. I’ve sowed some of my 2019 seeds this spring, we shall see. I was hoping for a bit more red or blushing radicchios in the mix but it’s all delicious.
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