SALADS FOR WINTER

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29725, 19 January 1962, Page 6

SALADS FOR WINTER

Endive May Be Sown Now All gardeners grow lettuce, but there are few who grow endive. It is occasionally seen at flower shows in the class for “Any other vegetable.’’ But is is not common in the garden. For all that, endive has virtues. It grows readily for harvesting in the winter months; it is quite hardy; and the flavour is very pleasant. If there is a disadvantage, it is that endive needs blanching before being used, for the leaves are very bitter without.

The two types of endive are curled and batavian. Curled endive is sown for early eating, but batavian, the hardier of the two, is sown for maturing in the winter months. Curled endive may be sown from mid January onwards, whilst batavian is best sown from mid-February until early March. Early potatoes or peas could quite well be succeeded by endive without the need for any further preparation of the ground. Rows should be spaced 15 to 18 inches apart, and plants tinned in the row to 12 inches. It is possible to sow’ more thickly and transplant the seedlings out, but they are slightly later, of course, and also liable to run to seed. Adequate moisture must be given in dry weather to encourage rapid growth and also to discourage the tendency to run to seed. Curled endive, the first sown, has a better flavour than batavian endive, and takes less time to blanch. One of the best ways of blanching is W'ith the aid of a large flower pot—it has to be large, since heads grow’ to a fair size—w’hich is placed over the plant and the drainage hole covered. Blanching will take 10 to 14 days in early autumn, and 21 days or longer in the winter months. Only three or four plants should be blanched at one time since blanched plants do not keep well. The job should be done thoroughly and no light admitted, or the full advantage will not be obtained. Since the hearts are full it is sometimes recommended that blanching be carried out by tying the outside leaves over it. The method is possible but is not so satisfactory as the use of a flower pot or other total light excluder. Incidentally, it is important that the leaves be dry when covered, and that any dead

or decaying ones are removed. or decay soon sets in. Try a packet of endive this year and see how you like it!