Endive, Ruffec (Green Curled ) 1000 (1.15g's)

Packet Content (approx.): 1000 (1.15g's) 

Endive Ruffec. Heirloom. Large head, very fine frilly leaves, large white stems.  75 or so days. Direct seed or use transplants Great cooked or in salads. Best for fall. Set out 5-6 week transplants 60 days before desire harvest or direct seed 80 or so days before desired harvest. 2-3 seeds/16 inches. If you grow them closer together (say 8 inches), they tend to grow upright and self blanch. Blanch heart by tying up leaves 10-12 days before harvest. Great cooked or in salads.

Green Curled Ruffec Endive Germination: Endive makes an excellent fall crop, since light frost sweetens the taste, and excess heat causes bitterness in the leaves or bolting. For an early summer crop, sow seeds indoors 2 months before the last spring frost; sow them 1/4" deep. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 6" apart. Four weeks after planting them, set them outside 12" apart. For a fall crop, direct sow seeds in July. Water the ground, scatter the seeds on the surface, then cover with 1/3" of soil. When the seedlings emerge, thin them to 12" in all directions. Areas with warmer winters may be able to plant a winter crop about two months before the last frost.

Growing Green Curled Ruffec Endive Seeds: Keep the soil moist to prevent toughness or a bitter taste, but avoid getting the leaves wet as this may cause rotting. Mulch helps conserve moisture and control weeds. If desired, blanch the leaves about 2-3 weeks before harvesting by tying together the outer leaves to shade the inner part of the plant. Make sure that the leaves of the plant are completely dry before tying them, or rotting may result.

Harvesting Green Curled Ruffec Endive: Cut individual leaves for baby greens as soon as they reach a good size for eating. Cut mature heads off at the base. For additional growth, leave an inch of stem.