Endive in May: monthly care

Endive thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained loam soil enriched with organic matter. Before sowing or planting, dig over the bed to a spade's depth and work in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure to improve moisture retention and fertility. The soil should be firm but not compacted. You can sow endive directly outdoors from April through to August, allowing for successive harvests from early summer into autumn. Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills about 1 cm deep, spacing rows 30 cm apart. Germination typically takes 7–14 days. Once seedlings have developed two or three true leaves, thin them to a final spacing of 30 cm between plants. Alternatively, start seeds indoors in modules from April onwards and transplant young plants outside after hardening off, again spacing them 30 cm apart. Endive has a high water requirement, so choose a site where you can water regularly, especially during dry spells. Avoid very exposed positions, as the broad leaves can be damaged by strong winds. Plant in blocks rather than long single rows to provide some mutual shelter and make watering more efficient. Immediately after sowing or transplanting, water the bed thoroughly to settle the soil around roots or seeds. Keep the soil consistently moist during the establishment phase. Apply a 2–3 cm layer of organic mulch around young plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch clear of the central rosette to prevent rot. Endive grows quickly in warm weather, so timely watering and good soil preparation are the keys to producing crisp, tender leaves.