Escarole, Diva (Organic)
Cichorium endivia. 70 days.
Broad-leafed Batavian type endive. Large, loose, green heads are a delicious addition to salad and also good braised or sautéed. Mild even in summer heat, its flavor develops to perfection in the late summer or autumn once nighttime temperatures cool. Diva’s broad leaves are sugary sweet with a tiny hint of bitterness; imagine juicy, sweet walnuts. In our winter CSA trials, we found it to hold quality through our harshest winters. Also makes delicious, large heads from spring plantings. It is an awesome escarole and a serious market farm performer. Foundation seed originally sourced from German biodynamic seed company, Bingenheimer Saatgut.
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Sow indoors with good potting soil February through September. Transplant into the garden about 3-4 weeks after sprouting. In our region, endive can grow through the winter without protection, but is best sown in June or July for this purpose. Alternatively, direct sow March through August.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from 5 or more plants when seeds have dried down. Cut whole plants, place on tarp, dance and stomp to free the seeds. Collect seeds from tarp, winnow to clean. Isolate by 50′ from other Cichorium sp.
Janet Pihlblad (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? Northeastern US
This is the best escarole I’ve grown. The heads really do look like the pictures. I grow it all winter under short plastic hoops in Central New Jersey. When the temperatures dip some outer leaves freeze and turn brown, but the centers stay good. After two winters of growing it, it’s become our winter salad staple. Great taste and texture.
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