How to grow radicchio and chicory

HOW TO GROW RADICCHIO AND CHICORY

There are many chicory plants, and they can generally be divided into two large families: leafy chicory and root chicory. However, the cultivation techniques are the same. Let's take a look.

ALSO READ: Chicory Cream: A Simple and Healthy Recipe

• Exposure. Chicory tolerates any climate well, even cold. Avoid locations with excessively hot and dry summers, which are unsuitable for this type of plant.

• Ground.  Choose a soft, smooth, and well-draining soil, as the plant may suffer from waterlogging. The soil should also be rich in organic matter and minerals.

• Sowing and harvesting. Green leaf chicory can be sown in rows or by scattering during all months of the year, avoiding only the coldest ones. chicory Colorful leaves (i.e., radicchio) are sown in rows between June and July, leaving 10-15 centimeters between plants. For pots, choose deep ones that can hold multiple plants. Harvest when the leaves have reached a suitable size for culinary use, no less than 10 centimeters in diameter. Harvest with a clean cut at the base to encourage rapid regrowth.

• Fertilization. The soil should be prepared with organic fertilizers before planting: mature manure or compost are ideal. It should then be enriched with mineral fertilizers as the plant grows.

• Illnesses. The most common is powdery mildew, when the leaves become covered with a whitish powder. Or crown mold, which causes the leaves to become very soft. During cultivation, it's important to keep the soil clear of weeds and prevent their growth.

WHEN TO PLANT RADICCHIO

WHEN TO TRANSPLANT RADICCHIO

TO KNOW MORE: Risotto with grilled red radicchio, a tasty vegetarian first course