Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 09/27/2010 by Barcen - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Los Angeles, California, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I grew Bellesque endive for the first (but not last) time in heavy clay soil in Southern California's cool (70s) summer in 2010. The seeds sprouted promptly. Small seedlings transplanted well and required no care thereafter other than watering twice a week. The plants have been steadily growing since early spring throughout summer into fall. Flat, low-growing, 12" wide heads when full-grown, but can be crowded to 8-10" apart. Slow to bolt. Outer leaves can be harvested multiple times. No pests or diseases, but slugs and snails like to hide underneath the water-holding leaves. As it is shallow-rooted and grows in either full sun or partial shade, this is a good plant to fill in spaces between tomato, bush squash, okra, etc. The taste is moderately bitter. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars for taste is that the leaves can be tough when cooked. I suggest you chop them in advance, or cut them with heavy scissors. I should mention that the curled leaves trap a lot of dirt, particularly if there's mulch, and the harvested leaves need 3-4 washings.